Manchester United are to test Bayern Munich's resolve by tabling a £35million bid for Franck Ribery.

The France international midfielder has been the subject of numerous transfer rumours throughout the summer with United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Spanish giants Real Madrid all trying to secure his services.

United will now however up the stakes by making a sizeable offer in two weeks time when Ribery is expected to land a loyalty bonus from Bayern before choosing to leave the German outfit.

Ribery has made no secret of his admiration for Sir Alex Ferguson's side, but the 26-year-old may yet be denied a move after his current employers slapped a staggering £85million price tag on his head.

Bundesliga runners-up Bayern are adamant that they will not sell their star asset, who is under contract until 2011.

Manchester United are to test Bayern Munich's resolve by tabling a £35million bid for Franck Ribery.

The France international midfielder has been the subject of numerous transfer rumours throughout the summer with United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Spanish giants Real Madrid all trying to secure his services.

United will now however up the stakes by making a sizeable offer in two weeks time when Ribery is expected to land a loyalty bonus from Bayern before choosing to leave the German outfit.

Ribery has made no secret of his admiration for Sir Alex Ferguson's side, but the 26-year-old may yet be denied a move after his current employers slapped a staggering £85million price tag on his head.

Bundesliga runners-up Bayern are adamant that they will not sell their star asset, who is under contract until 2011.

Manchester United to offer £35m for Franck Ribery, Liverpool eye Roma star and much more in today's Paper Talk

Sir Alex Ferguson is thinking about bidding for Franck Ribery, Bayern Munich's star winger before the transfer window closes. But he will have to offer at least £35m. (The Sun)

Manchester United look to sign Ribery

Bayern Munich have placed a world record transfer fee on his head but that may not stop Manchester United making a cheeky bid for French star Franck Ribery.

At the Audi Cup last night, where Bayern beat United on penalties, there were suggestions that the Red Devils were set to offer the German giants £35 million for Ribery.

And this even though Bayern have stated it would take more than the £80 million that Real Madrid paid United for Cristiano Ronaldo.

The belief is that United will wait a fortnight before making their move.

Real Madrid have made no secret of their interest in Ribery and indeed he has been quoted saying he would relish a move to the Bernabeu.

Chelsea will also be watching developments closely while Liverpool have also been linked with Ribery.

Manchester United To Move For Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery – Report

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson could be readying a bid for Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery.

The United boss has previously revealed that chief executive David Gill enquired into the possibility of signing Ribery in a past meeting with officials at Bayern, but the Red Devils' CEO was told the player was unavailable for transfer.

The German club has communicated to the press through chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and his deputy Uli Hoeness in no uncertain terms that the French winger will not be sold this summer.

Despite the odds being stacked against a move, UK newspaper The Sun is reporting Ferguson to be preparing a possible €41 million (£35m) bid for Ribery.

The tabloid is also suggesting the United boss will wait until August 14 to move for the player, at which time it is understood a loyalty bonus will become active in the France international's contract.

If the Red Devils do in fact move for Ribery, the initial offer is almost certain to be knocked back as Bayern would hold out for a substantially larger amount.

Meanwhile, Bayern legend Franz Beckenbauer recently launched a scathing attack on Ribery, telling German paper Bild that the player "does not give a damn about Bayern Munich".

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed Manchester United 'explored' the potential for a deal to sign Bayern Munich ace Franck Ribery.

France international Ribery has been a target for many of Europe's leading clubs, with Spanish rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid expressing an interest.

Chelsea have also been linked with the winger, but Bayern have been adamant that the club will not be cashing in on the 26-year-old.

United were rumoured to be readying a bid as the Premier League champions sought to spend some of the world record windfall from the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real.

However, Ferguson confirmed a polite enquiry was met with a firm response from Bayern, who sold Owen Hargreaves to United two years ago.

"We didn't try to buy Ribery, we explored it in a nice, quiet way when David Gill was at one of his meetings with Bayern in March," said Ferguson.

"They told him, 'absolutely no chance' and the one thing you can say about Bayern is that, when they say something, they mean it.

"When we negotiated with them over Hargreaves, at the beginning they said 'no', but they also said that, if it ever changed, their minds, we'd be the first to know.

"It was exactly the same this time. There is no way that they will sell Ribery."

Ferguson also considered signing Karim Benzema from Lyon, but conceded he did not want to pay over the odds for the Real new boy.

He added: "We tried to spend it (the Ronaldo money) on Karim Benzema as, at 21, I felt that there would be an improvement there.

"He is tough, good physique, a good goalscoring record, so it was worth going a wee bit extra for him because of his age.

"But when it went to �42million, it was beyond his value. We went to �35million and I think that was fair."