Munich  - Bayern Munich will be seeking an agreement to keep Franck Ribery at the club although the France international's contract still has more than two years to run.

General manager Uli Hoeness said Sunday Bayern wanted a long-term deal with the midfielder who helped Bayern win the league and cup double last season and whose form has revived their current season.

Ribery joined Bayern for a club-record fee of a reported 25 million euros from Olympique Marseille in June 2007 on a four-year contract.

"In six or 12 months we will be speaking about extending the contract," Hoeness said on DSF television.

Ribery missed the start of the season following ankle surgery but his return has triggered a surge in form for Bayern.

Since he started a game for the first time at the beginning of October, Bayern have not been beaten in 10 league outings, winning eight of them with Ribery scoring six goals.

He was again in outstanding form on Friday when Bayern came from behind to beat league leaders Hoffenheim 2-1 to draw level with the promoted side at the top of the table.

Bayern directors met the 25-year-old player last week for a meal to "signal that we are completely happy with him," Hoeness said.

Club president Franz Beckenbauer meanwhile told the Neue Presse Coburg newspaper: "We are pleased to have such a player. He makes all the difference."

Meanwhile captain Mark van Bommel will also be offered a new contract at the end of the season, but striker Lukas Podolski will be allowed to leave if an acceptable offer is received.

"FC Cologne have made us an offer which was unspeakable. It's why I don't feel at the moment that they really want him," Hoeness said.

Hoeness ruled out a move in the winter break, saying it would leave Bayern looking for a striker who was eligible to play in the Champions League.

Bayern are also interested in signing Ukrainian midfielder Anatoly Timoschuk from Zenit St Petersburg in July but the transfer was "not cut and dried," Hoeness said. (dpa)