Bayern now open to offers for Ribery sale?
The race appears to be on to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery after Franz Beckenbauer suggested they may now be willing to listen to offers.
The Bundesliga side have previously refused to consider selling the France international unless they receive a "crazy offer". Now it seems the player himself has clearly stated his desire to move on, which will alert Europe's top clubs.
Bayern president Beckenbauer told Sport Bild magazine: "We discussed the issue at our last board meeting and we all agreed that, if he really wants to leave, then we will deal with the issue."
Real Madrid were thought to be favourites to sign the 26-year-old but stated earlier this week that they felt he was too expensive. That could mean Manchester United step to the front of the queue as they look to spend some of the £80m set to come their way from the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu.
Barcelona and Chelsea, eager to sign top players in a younger age bracket, will also be watching with interest as to how the transfer saga develops in the coming weeks.
Previously it was though Bayern would look for €75m for Ribery, but if the player has suggested he wishes to move on the German outfit will not have such a position of power over the fee they demand.
Chelsea, United and Barca have already made firm enquiries about the playmaker.
But Real could come back into the running by offering Bayern some of their Dutch stars, who are all set to leave the club, as a makeweight. Reports in Spain suggest Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder have both been put forward as options for new Bayern's new Dutch coach Louis van Gaal.
