Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says Franck Ribery could remain with the club next year even if he fails to sign a new deal.

GettyImagesFranck Ribery: Six goals and nine assists

Ribery, whose current contract ends in 2011, has been the subject of speculation for some time and it has been widely suggested that he will join Real Madrid in the summer.

Yet while Bayern had previously indicated that Ribery would be sold if he failed to agree an extension before the end of the current campaign, Rummenigge insists that it is not a foregone conclusion.

"Our first goal is to sign a contract extension with him," Rummenigge told Kicker magazine, "but I will say this clearly - anyone who believes that we will sell Franck automatically at the end of the season if there is no extension is making an error.

"Bayern Munich will decide where Franck plays next season."

Club president Uli Hoeness was recently quoted as saying that he was "pretty sure that he had reached an agreement with Real Madrid" last season, but Rummenigge says Hoeness has not yet given up on retaining Ribery.

"I had a conversation with Uli on Monday and we will do what is best for Bayern," Rummenigge said. "We want to have the best team possible for the 2010-11 season.

"I can't imagine we would opt for a quick-fix solution. That is why I have no problem at all if a decision about Franck is only made after the World Cup."