Manchester United - Valencia on his way but Ribery and Benzema say no

The continuing shift of financial power between the English Premier League and Spain's La Liga looks set to frustrate Manchester United again. The English champions, who have accepted a staggering UK£80 million (US$130 million) bid from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo, are likely to miss out on their first-choice replacement, Franck Ribery, who also favours a move to the Spanish capital.

Ribery's agent, Alan Migliaccio, said yesterday that the Frenchman, currently at Bayern Munich, is keen on a move to Madrid, favouring the club above either United or Barcelona. "The player has talked with Zinedine Zidane and he wants to play for Los Blancos," he said.

Another French target for United, Lyon striker Karim Benzema, has said he wants to remain in France for another season to prepare for the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa.

One piece of good news for United, though, is that Wigan Athletic winger Antonio Valencia - another target for both United and Madrid - apparently favours a move to Old Trafford ahead of the Bernabeu. Both clubs have had bids accepted for the player, but sources close to the player say United is his first choice.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan refused to be drawn on the rumours, saying: "I think he is an outstanding player and he would fit in at either Manchester United or Real Madrid. I don't think there is any doubt he will end up at one of those clubs, it's just a case of which one he wants to end up at. It's not for us to decide."

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