Manchester United and Chelsea are circling for Bayern Munich's unsettled star Franck Ribery. The Times says Ribery has put Chelsea and Manchester United on full alert after signalling that he is ready to force a departure from Bayern Munich.

Interest in Ribery cooled earlier in the summer after Chelsea and United were informed that the asking price was £60 million, almost double the British transfer record, but the West London club, in particular, have continued to explore the situation.

Ribery was thought to have set his heart on joining Real, but he is now said to be so desperate to leave Bayern that he will consider an immediate move. He antagonised the German club further on Wednesday night by playing for France against the Faeroe Isles, despite not being passed fit by the club's medical staff.