Forget Real Madrid and Manchester United, it's Chelsea who are now leading the race to sign Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery, according to Thursday's UK newspapers.

The Sun report that the France international is set for a £43million switch to Stamford Bridge, if he can agree personal terms. Ribery is apparently holding out for £125,000-a-week but Chelsea are reluctant to offer more than £90,000-a-week.

But the Daily Star claim United are still in the hunt for the 26-year-old as they see Ribery as a replacement for Real Madrid target Cristiano Ronaldo, who said after the Red Devils' Champions League final defeat that he "doesn't know" if he will be at Old Trafford next season.

Full-back Patrice Evra has been trying to persuade Ribery to join United.

Yesterday we were told that Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez would have to sell to buy and with Chelsea sniffing around Xabi Alonso the Reds are lining up Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez as a replacement.

The Daily Mirror claim that Bilbao, who have the 20-year-old under contract until 2012, want around £10m.

The Daily Mail report that the changes at Anfield won't stop there as Benitez also plans to shake up his backroom staff by replacing four coaches. Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish is tipped for an advisory role, while former Reds midfielder Gary McAllister could come in as a coach.

Reserve-team manager Gary Ablett and youth-team coaches Hugh McAuley, Dave Lever and Dave Shannon are on the way out.

Meanwhile, Wigan Athletic will look to recruit Swansea City boss Roberto Martinez if Sunderland pay up the £5m in compensation the Latics are demanding for manager Steve Bruce, according to The Times.

Having paid Birmingham City £3 million for the 48-year-old's services in 2007, Dave Whelan, the Wigan chairman, is asking Sunderland for £5 million, in part to cover the two years that remain on Bruce's contract.

Wigan winger Antonio Valencia has told the Daily Express he knows nothing of a possible move to Manchester United and claims to be happy at the JJB Stadium.

The 23-year-old midfielder said: "If I knew something, I would tell you, but now it is all speculation. I am comfortable and fine at Wigan."

And finally... Everton manager David Moyes has told The Telegraph that he is considering starting teenager Jack Rodwell in the FA Cup final even though the midfielder only has one full season as a senior player under his belt.