Real Madrid and Barcelona fear they're losing ground to Chelsea in the battle for Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery. The Daily Mail says Barcelona are ready to enter a summer scrap with Manchester United for Valencia hot shot David Villa.

The European champions have turned to the Spain striker amid fears that Chelsea are leading the race for Franck Ribery.

Barca are determined to land a left-sided forward this summer after failing in bids for Robinho and David Silva last summer and had identified Bayern Munich star Ribery as the perfect candidate.

However, there a deal for the France international is fraught with difficulty because of the strong interest from Real Madrid and Chelsea, while there is growing confidence in Bavaria that Ribery can be talked into signing an extension to his current contract.

Barca are not prepared to pay more than about £25m for Ribery.

Madrid are also reluctant to pay over the odds for a player who has suffered injury setbacks this season and who will have just 12 months left on his contract at the end of season, which leaves Chelsea in a strong position to make a move.