The Bundesliga's biggest transfer story during the close-season was the one which didn't happen - the much talked-about future of Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery.

Ultimately neither Real Madrid, Barcelona or Manchester United were prepared to meet the ever-rising price tag set by the Bavarian club where the French international is contracted until 2011.

The man fans once hailed as "Kaiser Franck," now known as "the Bavarian Diva" by German media, is looking far from imperial with Ribery's commitment to Bayern becoming increasingly tarnished during a summer of speculation.

Outspoken Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer blasted Ribery, for, in his view, being more interested in his own career than the club and suggested that the player could still be sold - for 94 million euros ($135 million).

"Of course we would expect the market price, and if Cristiano Ronaldo is worth 94 million, then Ribery is worth a comparable sum. But if no offer is forthcoming he must fulfill the terms of his contract until 2011," he told Sport Bild newspaper.

Commentators were not entirely convinced by a statement from Bayern management which said: "Bayern have at no time had and do not have the impression from Franck Ribery that he would only use Bayern in order to further his own career. He has always given himself and his abilities to the service of the team."

As another season in Germany looms, Ribery's attitude continues to make headlines. When the team assembled for the official pre-season photo session, observers noted the Frenchman was unsmiling and distant.

He is due to miss the start of the season through injury and may spend his recuperation time wishing he was at a different stadium - namely the Bernabeu in Madrid, hob-nobbing with Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema as Real Madrid Chairman Florentino Perez proudly showed off his multi-million euro signings in the Spanish sun.

Bayern, overtaken last season by Wolfsburg at the top of the league, will be hoping they can hang onto Ribery to provide ammunition for Mario Gomez. Bayern paid 30 million euros to obtain the striker from Stuttgart, as they try and win back the coveted Bundesliga title.

Auf Wiedersehen Bayern

Bayern will be without Brazilian stalwarts Lucio and Ze Roberto who quit Bavaria for Inter Milan and Hamburg respectively in the close season.

Lucio, the veteran central defender, left Bayern with a parting shot at new Dutch manager Louis Van Gaal who he accused of showing "a lack of respect."

"I am a world champion (in the 2002 winning Brazil team) as well as winning the Confederations Cup twice and was chosen best defender in the Bundesliga,” Lucio said as he completed a reported eight million-euro move to the Italian champions. "Surely I did not need to show him further proof of my abilities?"

Passing the Brazilians on the way out is Danijel Pranjic, the Croatian midfielder who joins Bayern from Heerenveen and Dutch left-back Edson Braafheid from FC Twente.

Old boys come home

Stuttgart, anxious to replace Gomez in attack, finally agreed with Barcelona the return of their one-time player Alexander Hleb who spent an unhappy year at Camp Nou after his transfer from Arsenal in 2007.

The Belarus international opted against a move to Inter Milan in favor of a move on loan back to the German club where he played from 2000-2005.

Another old boy returning home is international midfielder Tim Borowski who will again turn out in the colors of German Cup holders Werder Bremen after a spell loan at Bayern.

One of the best bits of business in the close season trading frenzy actually didn't involve any exchange of money or player. Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg pulled off a coup by managing to hang on to the league's player of the year, 23-year-old Bosnian playmaker Edzin Dzeko who had been tempted by AC Milan.

Wolves add Martins and Algerian whiz-kid

Wolfsburg also managed to tempt Newcastle's ex-Inter Milan striker Obafemi Martins to the Bundesliga for a reported 8.5 million euros after the 24-year-old Nigerian spent a frustrating five years on Tyneside.

New Wolves coach Armin Veh also added the speedy 26-year-old Algeria international Karim Ziani to the champions' midfield, paying Marseille five million euros for his services. Ziani "fits well in the team and will help us get to our target next season," Veh said.

Meanwhile, ex-Wolfsburg manager Felix Magath will welcome talented youngster Lewis Holtby from Aachen after off-loading last year's expensive Dutch midfield flop Orlando Engelaar onto PSV Eindhoven.

Challengers spend wisely

Northern challengers Hamburg are hoping to shore up their defense with the signature of Czech defender David Rozenhal from Lazio.

"Hamburg is a big club with great infrastructure and conditions. The level at the Bundesliga is extremely high and it is always my aim to play high level football," Rozenhal told the club's Web site. German media have reported the transfer fee at around five million euros.

Last season's surprise package Hoffenheim have splashed more of their owner's cash by signing Argentine teenage midfielder Franco Zuculini for 4.7 million euros from Racing Club Avellaneda and Croatian defender Josip Simunic from Hertha Berlin for seven million, while picking up Ghanaian forward Prince Tagoe on a free transfer from Saudi club Al-Ittifaq.

Presumably looking for a club with a less comical name, Argentine goal-scoring sensation Lucas Barrios has opted to spend this season at the more soberly named Borussia Dortmund after transferring from Colo Colo for 4.5 million euros.

The 24-year-old striker hit the net a record 37 times in the 2008 season for the Chilean champions and replaces veteran Swiss national skipper Alexander Frei who has departed for Basel in his native country for 4.2 million euros.

nda/dpa/AFP/Reuters

Editor: Sonia Phalnikar