Chelsea's pursuit of the Real Madrid and Brazil winger Robinho appeared to be descending into a wild goose chase yesterday when the player's agent claimed there is no chance of a transfer being completed this year. The new Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is understood to have put Robinho, 24, on his list of targets. It has been claimed that talks were held earlier in the close season between the wealthyEnglish and Spanish clubs, but Wagner Ribeiro, the agent representing the player, feels any deal is now in ruins.
The Spanish champions' asking price of £35million (Dh240m) would seem to be the main problem with Chelsea willing to pay £23m. They could hardly be accused of being thrifty, but not according Ribeiro. "The dream of Chelsea is broken because Real Madrid will not even negotiate," he said "Next summer we will sort out the situation if people can show some sense." Chelsea, according to more feverish speculation, will have to pay £80m for AC Milan's Kaka.
@Email:dkane@thenational.ae
