Chelsea plan to launch a January bid for Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery.

The Sun says the Stamford Bridge club will offer a British transfer record of around £45million for the France winger.

Ribery's German club Bayern Munich insisted yesterday that they had already turned down one mega offer from Chelsea.

Real Madrid are widely believed to have already agreed a deal for Ribery to join Madrid next summer.

But sources close to Ribery, 26, claim Chelsea have offered a contract worth £172,000 a week, just under £1m more a year than Real.

Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti has told owner Roman Abramovich that the club can survive the impact of a probable transfer ban next summer - IF he can sign two new players in January.

As a result, Chelsea are willing to spend up to £100m in the next available window.