Chelsea Preparing Mega Bid For Robinho
Chelsea are set to test Real Madrid's resolve by offering €35 million for Robinho this summer despite the Spanish club claiming he is not for sale, according to reports in Spain.
The Blues want to prise the Brazilian away from the Bernabéu by making a bid that they believe los Merengues will find too tempting to turn down and the opening gambit will be big, according to Onda Cero and Radio Marca.
Madrid's president, Ramón Calderón, has said that he is not willing to let Robinho go and is even said to be preparing a new contract for the 24-year-old.
"He is not transferable," he said during Monday's title celebrations. "We are not going to sell Robinho."
Despite denying that he wants to leave Madrid, the whistles that he received from some sections of the crowd during the final home match of the season may play on Robinho's mind however.
According to Marca, Arsenal and Manchester United could well join the race should Chelsea be seen to be given any encouragement by the Madrid hierarchy.
Bernd Schuster is not keen to lose the player, even though rumours suggest that he is beginning to lean towards Arjen Robben to play down the left next season.
Along with Mahamadou Diarrŕ, another star who was tipped to be transferred this summer, the German coach is only interested in making minor changes to his championship-winning squad.
"They are two important players for us. Why would we want them to leave?," he asked reporters.
The idea of having to off-load one or two big names may have become reality had Madrid had any joy in their quest to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, as all finances would have been required, but that avenue is now closed.
Lucas Brown, Goal.com
