Manchester City are ready to go higher than the £32 million they
paid for Robinho to land Bayern Munich ace Franck Ribery.
The Daily Star Sunday says City will make a £35m swoop
for Ribery.
Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness admitted last night that his
club face a “brutal fight” to keep the French midfielder.
City boss Mark Hughes has the backing of the Abu Dhabi United
Group in his bid for Ribery, Footballer of the Year in France and
Germany.
City hoped to land Ribery for between £20-25m but his value has
soared as he is also wanted by Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona and
Juventus.
His agent claims that Ribery would also become a target for
Manchester United if Cristiano Ronaldo decided to join Real
Madrid.
Hoeness added: ‘‘Franck is on a contract without clauses for two
more years and he enjoys it here.
‘‘A lack of European trophies could turn his thoughts to a move
but we will try with all our might to keep him. If we hold firm
until the transfer window closes we could even try to sign him for
longer than his current deal.”