Source: Telegraph
Chelsea growing increasingly confident of landing Franck Ribery
On the day that Yuri Zhirkov completed his medical ahead of his £18 million move from CSKA Moscow, Ribery's club, Bayern Munich, are said to have set a price of €80 million (£69 million) and a deadline of July 16 for any deal to be completed.
However Chelsea have brushed aside such demands and, having tabled a bid in excess of £40 million already for the France international, are waiting to see whether Real Madrid make a move or back off as they pursue other targets, most notably Liverpool's Xabi Alonso.
Jorge Valdano, Real's director general, said the prices being quoted for both Ribery and Alonso were too high. Real may also concentrate on trying to move on some of the players who are surplus to requirements.
One of those could be Wesley Sneijder, who has been identified by Chelsea as an alternative to Ribery should their pursuit of the midfielder prove fruitless.
Sneijder is also attracting Bayern, while the German club have expressed are continuing interest in Chelsea right-back Jose Bosingwa, who was offered to them by Roman Abramovich in the initial discussions concerning Ribery's future.
Ribery has distanced himself from quotes attributed to him last week which stated that he would only leave Bayern for Real and has also held talks with new coach, Louis van Gaal, who has made it clear that he wants the player's future resolved as soon as possible.
It is understood that despite his claims that he may stay, Ribery is extremely keen to leave Bayern this summer and Chelsea's negotiators, headed by chief executive Peter Kenyon, are continuing to closely monitor developments.
Further talks may take place this week, although a resolution is unlikely before Chelsea depart on their pre-season tour to the United States next week.
The club are resolute that John Terry will also make that trip, having firmly rejected the advances of Manchester City for their captain.
There has, however, been no public statement this time from Terry himself over the interest – the latest bid was £28 million and waiving a fee for Daniel Sturridge – and it is understood that the 28 year-old and his advisers are intrigued by City's pursuit of him.
Terry has three years left on his contract with Chelsea resistant to the idea of renegotiating the terms on a £130,000-a-week deal.
Chelsea are also bemused by the negotiating tactics being employed by Inter Milan, who want to sign Ricardo Carvalho and Deco.
Inter had hoped to secure both Portuguese internationals for free – even though they have lengthy contracts – and have alternatively offered various structured player-swap deals involving Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Maicon and Nicolas Burdisso.
Chelsea have insisted they are interested only in a straight cash deal and want £12 million for the pair. Deco is believed to be upset at the collapse of the move and will seek talks with Chelsea's new manager, Carlo Ancelotti, while Carvalho was quoted in the Italian press yesterday talking about his desire to be reunited with Jose Mourinho.
Carvalho says it is time for him to move on after five years at Stamford Bridge and while the emergence of Alex has given Chelsea grounds to believe the central defender can leave, they want a fee.
The bulk of the Chelsea squad are due to return to training tomorrow and the club are keen to conclude contract negotiations with a number of players.
Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda have been offered deals while negotiations are scheduled with Joe Cole, Ashley Cole and John Obi Mikel. All are expected to agree new terms.
However Ancelotti is sympathetic to Andrei Shevchenko's situation and with the striker also due to return to training tomorrow after a season-long loan at Milan, Chelsea are hoping to find a deal that means he can leave.
Ancelotti has appointed fellow Italian Bruno Di Michele as assistant manager alongside Ray Wilkins. Di Michele will take charge of the club's medical and fitness regimes, while Wilkins will concentrate on training.
