Chelsea to go French after conceding defeat in Modric quest

With Chelsea apparently conceding defeat in their long-term chase of Luka Modric, Franck Ribery has emerged as the new leading transfer target for Andre Villas-Boas on the final day of the transfer window.

Ribery has formed part of a deadly attacking double act on the flanks of Bayern Munich with Arjen Robben and has the potential of achieving something similar at Stamford Bridge with Juan Manuel Mata.

Chelsea certainly would benefit from a playmaker of Ribery’s calibre and rumours suggest that an offer of around €25m has been accepted, although this is considerably less than Bayern’s previous price tag.

The deal would be a big coup for Chelsea as they look to match chief title rivals Manchester United and Manchester City in the transfer market, who have both been busy significantly strengthening their own squads already earlier this summer.

Although Bayern are reluctant to sell one of their leading stars, the opportunity to collect a high transfer sum and get the highest paid player in the whole of the Bundesliga off their books, may be an offer they cannot refuse.

The one problem that may prevent the deal being completed is that Ribery has already represented Bayern Munich in a Champions League qualifier this season, meaning that he would be cup-tied for Chelsea in the competition for the remainder of the campaign.

However, with Chelsea also having the likes of French duo Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda to play in the wide areas, Villas-Boas may feel he has enough talent in his squad to mount a serious Champions League challenge without Ribery.

Chelsea’s odds are currently 7/2 to win the Premier League this season and 8/1 to triumph in the Champions League for the first time in their history.