Manchester City are ready to go higher than the £32 million they paid for Robinho to land Bayern Munich ace Franck Ribery.
The Daily Star Sunday says City will make a £35m swoop for Ribery.
Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness admitted last night that his club face a “brutal fight” to keep the French midfielder.
City boss Mark Hughes has the backing of the Abu Dhabi United Group in his bid for Ribery, Footballer of the Year in France and Germany.
City hoped to land Ribery for between £20-25m but his value has soared as he is also wanted by Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus.
His agent claims that Ribery would also become a target for Manchester United if Cristiano Ronaldo decided to join Real Madrid.
Hoeness added: ‘‘Franck is on a contract without clauses for two more years and he enjoys it here.
‘‘A lack of European trophies could turn his thoughts to a move but we will try with all our might to keep him. If we hold firm until the transfer window closes we could even try to sign him for longer than his current deal.”