Source: Telegraph
Real Madrid poised to scupper Chelsea's bid for Franck Ribery
Chelsea are understood to be the only club to have submitted a formal bid, in excess of £40 million, for the 26 year-old but Real Madrid are expected to make a decisive move, especially after Ribery's declaration on Thursday that he only wanted to move there.
Manchester United have also been interested in Ribery but Chelsea have made him their top summer target and have not been put off by his comments in the French sports newspaper, L'Equipe. "It's decided. I want to leave," Ribery said. "Yes, it will be Real or nothing. I would like a discussion with the Bayern directors fairly quickly."
Bayern have constantly said Ribery is not for sale unless they receive a ridiculous offer and have tried to equate his worth to the fees paid by Real for Kaka (£56 million) and Cristiano Ronaldo (£80 million). on Thursday Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge responded to Ribery's declaration by saying: "This is how I interpret Franck's statement: either Real or nothing. And our clear response is: Nothing. We are not anxious. Franck is staying."
Behind these public statements there is another backdrop. Chelsea, along with other clubs, have remained in dialogue with Bayern over Ribery and have been informed that a decision on his future will not be made before next week which has, understandably, led to the impression that he may be sold after all.
Such is Ribery's importance to Chelsea that owner Roman Abramovich has been directly involved in the discussions with Bayern and, when it appeared that he might also have signed Glen Johnson from Portsmouth, offered Jose Bosingwa as part of the deal. Bayern remain interested in the Portuguese international although he is less likely to be sold now Johnson has joined Liverpool.
Chelsea have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Ross Turnbull, 24, on a free transfer from Middlesbrough. He has signed a four-year deal with reserve goalkeeper Henrique Hilario also agreeing a two-year extension.
Chelsea are close on Yuri Zhirkov, from CSKA Moscow, and 19 year-old striker Daniel Sturridge. The latter has been released by Manchester City but, because he is under 24, there is a development fee due. City have demanded £10 million; Chelsea offered £3 million but will have to pay more.
