Chelsea’s hopes of signing Franck Ribéry reduced farther last night when his agent confirmed that the France winger wants to join Real Madrid.

Alain Migliaccio said that he was waiting for Bayern Munich officials to return from holiday next week to secure a move. “Everything is blocked until they return but he would prefer a move to Real and has spoken with Zinédine Zidane [an adviser at Real] and Florentino Pérez, the president,” Migliaccio said.

The London club’s attempts to sign Alexandre Pato also appear to have foundered after the Brazil forward vowed to stay with AC Milan. “I am part of Milan and the club decides on my life,” Pato said.

Chelsea talked with Inter Milan yesterday about selling Ricardo Carvalho and Deco, but have ruled out signing Maicon or Zlatan Ibrahimovic from the Italian club. Chelsea want £12 million for the Portugal players, but Inter would like to offer players and cash. Ibrahimovic, the Sweden forward, has a price tag of around £65 million. Chelsea are also monitoring Jonjo Shelvey, the 17-year-old Charlton Athletic forward.

Decent bets

Blackburn Rovers are in talks to sign Oscar Cardozo, the Argentina forward, from Benfica as a replacement for Roque Santa Cruz, who joined Manchester City this week. Cardozo scored 17 goals last season. Blackburn are open to offers for Benni McCarthy, the South Africa striker.

Tottenham Hotspur have expressed an interest in Eljero Elia, the Twente left winger. Hamburg were set to sign Elia but the deal collapsed when Martin Jol resigned as coach of the German side to take over at Ajax. Jol is trying again to sign the 22-year-old, who would cost around £7.5 million. Tottenham have also inquired about Royston Drenthe, the Holland left winger who is surplus to requirements at Real Madrid and who was subject to an offer from Aston Villa last week.

Lucas Neill is set to re-sign a new one-year deal to remain at West Ham United, where the defender is out of contract next week.

Galatasaray have inquired about John Utaka, the Portsmouth forward. Micah Richards could be used as a makeweight by Manchester City in their attempt to tempt Everton into selling Joleon Lescott.

Liverpool want £8 million for Álvaro Arbeloa, the right back who is subject to a £4.2 million offer from Real Madrid, while Lionel Messi has asked Javier Mascherano, the Liverpool player and his Argentina team-mate, to join him at Barcelona.

Bolton claim that they will bid for Kevin Doyle, the Reading forward who has held talks with Fulham. Reading have accepted a £6.5 million offer from Wolverhampton Wanderers, who have approached Marseilles about Ronald Zubar, the France Under-21 defender.

Dead certs

Birmingham City have signed Giovanny Espinoza, the Ecuador defender, on a two-year contract from Barcelona Sporting. Birmingham’s £5 million offer for Roger Johnson, the defender, has been accepted by Cardiff City, but their approach for Glenn Loovens was turned down by Celtic.

Burnley’s £500,000 bid for Tyrone Mears has been accepted by Derby County. The right back was on loan at Marseilles last season.

Matt Derbyshire has signed a four-year deal with Olympiacos after a £3 million deal with Blackburn Rovers was agreed.

Djibril Cissé is set to sign for Panathinaikos after a fee of £7.2 million was agreed for the Marseilles forward, who was on loan at Sunderland last season.

Long shots

Lyons have claimed that Real Madrid are pursuing Karim Benzema, the forward wanted by Manchester United, after a deal for David Villa failed when Valencia said the Spain forward was not for sale.