Manchester United have made a firm offer for Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery, according to a report in the British broadsheet The Guardian.
Apparently, the Red Devils have lodged a bid in the region of €70 million (£62.5m) for the versatile playmaker, dwarfing the current world record transfer fee of €49.5m (£44m), which Real Madrid paid Juventus for Zinedine Zidane in 2001.
It is claimed that sources in Germany, notably Munich, have confirmed that the Bundesliga giants have received the proposal.
The 36-time capped France international is said to have notified die Roten that he wants to leave the Allianz Arena, and the 26-year-old has been linked with just about every European heavyweight in recent weeks.
Should United, who are alleged to have scouted Ribery on several occasions recently, land their man, it is thought that Cristiano Ronaldo will finally be allowed to join Real Madrid to help fund the transaction.
Barcelona were reported to be close to agreeing a deal with the former Marseille star recently and, although negotiations stalled, la Blaugrana are expected to reignite their interest.
Ricky Brooks, Goal.com