Metz midfielder Ribery set for Galatasaray: spokesman

Galatasaray have reached agreement with French midfielder Franck Ribery, seen here in 2004, and will formally sign him on Tuesday once first division side Metz annuls his contract

Galatasaray have reached agreement with French midfielder Franck Ribery and will formally sign him on Tuesday once first division side Metz annuls his contract, a spokesman for the Istanbul-based club said.

"We have already signed a contract with (Ribery) between ourselves," Galatasaray spokesman Fatih Gokcen was quoted by the Anatolia news agency after transfer talks at the club's headquarters here.

"There is a small hitch with his club regarding the annulation of his contract. Once this is taken care of, we will formally sign the contract tomorrow (Tuesday)," Gokcen added.

The spokesman said Ribery, who came to Istanbul early Monday and underwent a health check, would move to Galatasaray for three and a half years, but did not disclose the transfer fee.

Turkish newspapers reported Monday that Galatasaray would pay Metz 1.5 million euros and that Ribery would receive 800,000 euros a year.

Galatasaray are currently ranked second in the Turkish first division with 42 points, four points behind leaders Fenerbahce, who themselves completed the signing of another French player, Nicolas Anelka, from Manchester City, on Monday.