London: After talks with Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness last weekend, Chelsea FC's Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich will fly to Germany to make a 40-million-pound bid for winger Franck Ribery, The Sun reports.

Abramovich has made it clear that he is willing to pay the most ever by a British club to get Ribery.

A senior Bayern source said: "Uli was taken by surprise by the phone call but was very honest and courteous with Mr. Abramovich. We are still resolved to keep Ribery but Hoeness agreed to meet with Abramovich in Germany to discuss any offer."

Sun Sport revealed last month, Manchester United and Chelsea will both launch bids for Ribery this summer.

United have yet to make an offer and Abramovich has now stolen a march on them. Ribery, however, has openly declared his preference for Real Madrid.