Chelsea close to sealing Robinho deal Posted on August 26th
(CNN) — Chelsea are set to finalize the much-anticipated transfer of Real Madrid forward Robinho to Stamford Bridge, according to media reports in Spain.
Robinho looks set to move to the Premier League in a big money move.
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon is holding negotiations with Madrid officials in the Spanish capital to acquire the Brazilian international for a fee of close to $60 million, sports daily Marca claimed on Tuesday.
Robinho, who is under contract until 2010, recently pleaded with Madrid to let him move to Stamford Bridge before the close of the European transfer window on August 31.
Chelsea, coached by Robinho’s fellow Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari, are said to have offered the 24-year-old a large increase on his current reported euro2.1 million ($3 million) annual salary.
Real coach Bernd Schuster left Robinho on the bench for Sunday’s Spanish Supercup second leg against Valencia.
Madrid won 4-2 to lift the trophy, but Robinho was jeered by fans when his name was announced over the public address system before the start of the game.
The 24-year-old played a key role in Real’s successive Spanish title wins, but but media reports suggested he was annoyed by their refusal to allow him to play at the Olympic Games.
He was also lined up as a bargaining tool in Real’s failed pursuit of Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo.
With that deal now dead, Robinho’s future at the Bernabeu is ever more uncertain, but the club are keen to sign a replacement with liltle cover for ageing strikers Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
On Monday, Valencia rejected a $69 million offer from the Real for Spain striker David Villa, while Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is also a reported target.
Meanwhile, Villarreal midfielder Santi Cazorla responded on Tuesday to reports that Madrid is willing to buy him out of his contract by paying $23.3 million.
“For Real Madrid to call you is very difficult to take in. It is the best team in Spain and the truth is that it’s very hard to say no,” said the 23-year-old Cazorla, who appeared for Spain’s triumphant team in the European Championship two months ago.
With Robinho set for Stamford Bridge, Chelsea may listen to offers for England international winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, who does not appear to be part of new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari’s plans.
His former club Manchester City and Premier League rivals Everton are reported to be weighing up a bid for the 26-year-old.
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