Real Madrid blow Arsenal out of water with Ribery bid

Arsenal risk losing out on Marseille winger Franck Ribery to Real Madrid.

The Guardian says Arsenal yesterday stepped up their interest in Ribery with a £10m bid for the France winger but are likely to be thwarted in their pursuit of the World Cup's hottest property by the £26m interest of Real Madrid.

It's been revealed that while Real president Ramon Calderon has discussed openly interest for Arjen Robben (Chelsea) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), it was a smokescreen for No1 target Ribery.

That led to a £26m offer to Marseille last week, according to sources at the French club, one that could explode Arsenal's chances of securing the signature of the 23-year-old. There is further competition within France, where the domestic champions Lyon registered a £20.75m bid a fortnight ago to set the market at a level far exceeding Arsenal's offer.