[Oliver_Kahn]

Bayern Munich defender Willy Sagnol reckons the club should sign his fellow France international Franck Ribery as they are lacking creativity in midfield.

The full back told Die Welt that Bayern have a long way to go before they can build a team that can conquer Europe again.

With the 2001 winners having to deal with a number of high-profile departures, Sagnol would like to see Ribery trade Marseille for the Allianz Arena.

"We lost many important players such as Ze Roberto, [Bixente] Lizarazu and Jens Jeremies," he stated.

"Yes, Ballack [too].

"We tried to sign players, with Ribery and [Ruud] van Nistelrooy.

"But it did not happen. Nevertheless, if Bayern spend &euro50 or &euro60 million on two or three players then that does not absolutely guarantee success.

"I can understand the club's policy. The financial risk would be much too high.

"We must strengthen the squad step by step meaningfully, then perhaps we can win the Champions League in two or three years."

Ribery would be a welcome addition to the squad, in Sagnol's opinion.

"That is nothing new [missing a playmaker]," he explained.

"We have lacked a creative player, a technical player in the middle, for five years.

"Ribery would have been one of those players who can decide a match with a pass or a run."

The experienced defender is convinced Bayern can win Europe's biggest prize again in the future.

"Yes, and I trust this club," he answered.

"Otherwise I would have gone to Milan or Turin."

Football - Sagnol: Bayern need Ribery - Eurosport