Manchester United made their first transfer move of the summer last night when they joined the pursuit of Marseilles' talented midfielder Franck Ribéry.
United's chief executive, David Gill, is understood to have made a verbal offer of £9m for the 23-year-old in a telephone conversation with the Marseilles president, Pape Diouf, yesterday, although he may have to call back with the promise of an extra £3m before the French club entertain the idea of parting with their prized asset.