Ribery is latest Madrid target

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has revealed the Spanish giants are pursuing Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery.

AC Milan playmaker Kaka looks ever more likely to move to the Spanish capital and Perez confirmed yesterday he is working to bring in Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo too.

And he has now set his eyes on a third target as he looks to build a team that can challenge treble-winners Barcelona.

“I’m going to meet with my friends (Bayern president) Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and (general manager) Uli Hoeness to ask them about their intentions (for Ribery),” Perez told L’Equipe.

“I hope to be able to count on him for this year.”

Reports suggest Kaka will officially become a Madrid player early next week.

There was a fear Chelsea could swoop in for the Brazilian, but the Barclays Premier League club have denied making a bid and Perez is confident Kaka will be at the Bernabeu shortly.

He added: “I think if Kaka leaves Milan it will be to join Real. I am very optimistic.”

Perez’s first stint in charge was during the famous Galacticos era where Madrid shelled out for big names such as Luis Figo, David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane.

Since his return on Monday it has looked like Perez is planning on doing the same this time around, but he insists he is also going to focus on youth.

“I want to build a team with the best players of the world,” he said. “With the best Spanish players and not forgetting the academy.”