Carlo Ancelotti planning25-million-pound swoop for German midfielder Schweinsteiger

London, Dec. 18 (ANI): Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is eying a 25-million-pound swoop on German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, and to sign the pricey player he has even given up on France winger Franck Ribery.

Ribery will sign for Real Madrid in the summer.

Ancelotti, who has closely been watching midfielder Schweinsteiger, sees the versatile left-footer with an eye for goals as a valuable addition to his squad.

Schweinsteiger, who can play on either side of midfield, is also a dead-ball expert.

He has played 200 times for the German club and won four Bundesliga titles. He has scored19 goals in 72 appearances for his country.

Ancelotti believes that the 25-year-old can be a long-term replacement for Michael Ballack, 33, whose contract expires at the end of next season.

If Chelsea successfully signs Schweinsteiger, their spending in the January window could top 50 million pounds as they are also close to signing 32-miliion-pound Sergio Aguero. (ANI)