What Does the Future Hold for Franck Ribery at Bayern Munich?

On Friday, Bayern Munich revealed in a press release that Franck Ribery's ankle injury still had not fully healed and that the joint would be immobilized for the foreseeable future. A return date for the 32-year-old, who last took to the pitch against Shakhtar Donetsk on March 11, was not announced. However, the fact that this comes amid a slew of reports linking high-profile attacking midfielders and forwards to the Bundesliga champions does not bode well for Ribery's future at the Allianz Arena.

The Frenchman, who was a Ballon d'Or finalist just over a year ago, had a miserable 2014-15 season. By the numbers, he played well, averaging just under a goal or assist per game. The problem was, his tally of games played was just 23, with 1501 minutes on the pitch (details via Transfermarkt). Overall, he missed 29 games in 2014-15, including the final 16 due to his current ankle injury.

Ribery has long been relied upon as the heartbeat of the Bayern attack, the playmaker given the ball with expectations to deliver the necessary goals either directly or by assist. It is for this reason that the German giants gave him a contract extension worth €12 million per season that would keep him at the Allianz Arena until 2017 (via TZ, in German). With his previous deal having been set to expire this summer, it was an exception to the club's usual policy of offering only one-year extensions to players beyond the age of 30.

Yet Bayern have long looked to the future beyond the mercurial winger. Xherdan Shaqiri was signed in 2012 with an eye to the future without Ribery. The next year, Mario Gotze was brought to Munich. Neither has panned out as of yet, with the Switzerland international having already left for Inter. Given their previous inability to sign a player they can be confident will adequately replace Ribery when the time comes, and given that the time to do so is drawing ever closer, Bayern have been linked with a record €60 million move for Angel Di Maria. Kicker (in German) recently reported that technical director Michael Rescke made an inquiry for the Argentine winger.

If Di Maria were to move to Bayern, it would likely be the beginning of the end for Ribery. With the current Manchester United man a fleet-footed dribbler and creator of play, he could take Ribery's role in a team featuring a natural striker in Robert Lewandowski, a deeper playmaker in Thiago Alcantara and a scoring winger in Arjen Robben. It's possible for Ribery and Di Maria to play together, and probable in the case of injuries to others among the Bayern attack, but a betting man wouldn't place his money on Ribery being fit to play in more games than Robben or Lewandowski next season.

Moreover, there is the consideration of natural decline. Aging players typically take longer to recover fitness than their younger counterparts, and eventually pass the point of being able to make a full rebound. When Ribery is fit again to play, he may even look brilliant against the typical Bundesliga opponents. But sharpness at the very highest level is only measured a few times per season, and there would have to be questions as to whether he will be able to make the difference in the biggest games of the campaign. The pursuit of Di Maria suggests Bayern are doubtful of Ribery's ability in such situations.

Whether or not Bayern will sign Di Maria still remains highly in question. It's uncertain that Manchester United will be convinced to sell their star midfielder, and far from a given that Bayern will be willing to pay the enormous transfer fee and wage bill the Argentine would command. The fact that Di Maria is paid in pounds and that the Euro has become significantly devalued against the British currency since his signing cannot be overlooked.

Although the club would rue missing out on a star signing, it would be a huge boost for Ribery's chances at Bayern if Di Maria were not to make his move to Munich. Competing for playing time with a record signing would be near-impossible, but he could potentially fend off a less expensive, unfinished product. At least for a year.

In any case, Ribery can expect to see out his contract at Bayern. Few clubs would consider paying a player of his age such an enormous wage. That number diminishes further considering his injury record. Depending on how the next two seasons go, he might even retire a Bayern player and take on another role within the club. As for his playing career, for now it looks as though the club are making plans to phase him out of the key role he filled for so many years and into one as supporting cast.

@Mr_Bundesliga