45m Franck- Roman Abramovich to break the bank for Bayern Munich star
28 Nov 2009 - 11:00:35
Roman Abramovich has told new Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay to make signing Franck Ribery his top priority.
The Russian billionaire is desperate to bring the Bayern Munich winger to Stamford Bridge for £45million, preferably in January but in the summer at the very latest, and make him the highest-paid player in the Barclays Premier League.
Bayern boy: Ribery is wanted by Chelsea owner Abramovich
While Bayern insist they are under no pressure to sell a player undercontract with them until the summer of 2011, Ribery's future in Munichis looking increasingly uncertain.
This week he missed a crucial Champions League qualifier with Maccabi Haifa, citing the fact that his wife Wahiba was suffering from swine flu. At the same time, he is said to be frustrated with Bayern's stuttering European form.
On the periphery: Ribery (left) observes Bayern's win over Maccabi Haifa
While Chelsea have cruised into the second round of the Champions League, Bayern now need to win away at Juventus in their final game to progress to the last 16 of the competition.
Ribery has long been a target of some of the biggest clubs in football recently attracting interest from the likes of Real Madrid,Barcelona, Manchester United and Liverpool but Abramovich will authorise an offer approaching £200,000 a weekfor the France winger in the hope of luring him to Stamford Bridge.
Tantilisingly poised: Bayern must win in Turin or face Champions League elimination
Chelsea are not prepared to meet Munich's current valuation of £60m, considering it too much for the player, and have instead offered £35m in the hope of agreeing a deal somewhere in the region of £45m.
But the terms on offer to the player will, in Abramovich's opinion, clinch the deal for the current Premier League leaders.
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