Frank Ribery (telegraph)

Football Transfer Rumours – Manchester City have begun negotiations with Bayern Munich to get Franck Ribery away from the German giants, according to the News of the World. City boss Mark Hughes was in the stands during the week as Bayern fell to Girondins Bordeaux in Champions League action.

The 26-year-old is currently recovering from a tendon injury that could keep him out of action until March, meaning any move will have to wait for next summer.

Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Juventus, Chelsea and Liverpool are just a few of the clubs that were thought to want the French playmaker’s signature.

But now it is mega-rich Man City leading the charge, and it is understood that they hope to lure Ribery to Eastlands with the promise £200,000-per-week wages.

Javier Mascherano

Football Transfer Rumour – According to Spanish publication El Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are reportedly preparing a bid for Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano, who the Merseyside club are preparing to offload during the winter transfer window.

The Argentine central midfielder, who holds an Italian passport, was a summer target for the Blaugrana and had showed signs of a desire to make the switch before Reds boss Rafael Benitez insisted he would not be leaving.

Now however the Merseyside club are understood to be ready to cash in on Mascherano and use the cash to strengthen their attacking options and put an end to their over reliance on Fernando Torres for goals.

Barca are reportedly waiting to see how the market plays out during the winter window before making a bid but should another club declare their interest in signing the 25-year-old the Catalan giants are ready to show their hand.

The report also suggests that any approach for Mascherano would have no effect on Barca’s intention to add a forward to their ranks with Robinho and Luis Suarez topping the list of possible signings.

Should Mascherano make the switch, he will join Dmytro Chygrynskiy on the cup-tied list for the UEFA Champions League.