MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 26: Franck Ribery of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 26, 2020 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Surprise Italian Team Planning to Make a Run at Franck Ribery

The contract of Franck Ribery with Fiorentina expires in June of 2021 and, while an extension with the Viola is not out of the question, the ambitious Monza are plotting to sign him as a free agent if they get promoted to Serie A, Gazzetta dello Sport reported.

The Brianzoli are owned by long-time Milan president and politician Silvio Berlusconi and helmed by former Rossoneri director Adriano Galliani, who confirmed the news to Teleradiosterio: “The idea was born because Kevin-Prince Boateng and Ribery are great friends.”

Monza are currently in second place in Serie B, six points behind Empoli and tied with Chievo and Salernitana. The top two clubs will be promoted directly, while the ones that finish between the third and the eighth position will compete in the playoffs.

They were one of the busiest sides in Italy in January, as they added Mario Balotelli as a free agent and acquired Matteo Scozzarella form Parma, Federico Ricci from Sassuolo, Marco D’Alessandro from SPAL and touted striker Davide Diaw from Pordenone, who was targeted by few Serie A sides.

Ribery, who will turn 38 in April, joined Fiorentina in 2019 and recently hinted at the possibility of prolonging his stay. However, according to the publication, he is keeping his options open as he might go back to Bundesliga, where he played from 2007 to 2019, or remain in Italy at a different team, which is what Monza are looking to accomplish. They even reached out to him to sign him in January, albeit unsuccessfully.