Man U launches 63 million pounds bid for Franck Ribery

Manchester United has made an offer of about 62.5 million pounds for Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribéry, as they close in on a deal that would shatter the world transfer record.

Sources in Munich confirmed the bid has been received for the French international, who has made his desire to leave Germany known in the past few weeks.

United has repeatedly watched the 26-year-old in recent Bundesliga matches and sounded out his friends and entourage in Munich.

United's remarkable offer comfortably eclipses the record 44 million pounds paid by Real Madrid for Zinedine Zidane in 2001, Globe and Mail reported.

Although Bayern are understood to have turned down United's offer, it is considered the first serious move in a negotiation that will eventually bring the winger to Old Trafford.

Ribéry, who earns 134,000 pounds a week, is set to replace Ronaldo as United's highest-paid player.

Due to the unfavourable exchange rate and taxation levels in Britain, the Champions League holders, who take on Arsenal in the semi-final second leg at the Emirates Stadium tonight, will have to spend closer to 145,000 pounds a week to match his net wages at Bayern.

The former Marseille player, who moved to Munich in 2007 is contracted to Bayern until 2011, has repeatedly turned down offers to renegotiate a contract extension on improved terms.