Robinho claims to have held transfer talks with Chelsea
Published 13:28 01/07/08 By By Mirror.co.uk
Vagner Ribeiro, the representative of Real Madrid winger Robinho, claims to have discussed a possible transfer to Chelsea with the club's sporting director Frank Arnesen.
The South American star played under Luiz Felipe Scolari when he managed the Brazilian national side and could be the new Blues boss' second signing, following the capture of Deco this morning.
Ribeiro told Spanish sports newspaper AS: "It's true that Chelsea are interested in signing Robinho."
"They have been after him for a while and there has been much more contact since Scolari became the new Chelsea coach.
"I met with Arnesen in London and he confirmed to me that Chelsea wanted my player for next season."
Real are reportedly trying to offload a raft of players - including Robinho - in order to finance their mega-deal for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Riberio, however, believes that his client is even better than Manchester United's Portuguese star.
"Neither Robinho nor I like the fact that Real Madrid can use him as part exchange in their bid to sign Cristiano Ronaldo," he continued.
"We don't like this attitude and we want Madrid to start valuing Robinho because at the moment they're not.
"Robinho is as good a player as Cristiano Ronaldo or better. The difference is that Cristiano Ronaldo reached the Champions League final and Robinho didn't.
"But if Robinho had won such a title he would be at the same level as Cristiano."
Robinho did play a key role in Real Madrid's La Liga title last season, though, scoring 11 goals in 32 games.
And Ribeiro claims the 24-year-old doesn't want to leave the Spanish side, but that his hand might be forced by Real's attitude towards him.
"Robinho's priority is to continue at Real Madrid," he added. "But he cannot stay in a place in which they don't recognise his talent and at the moment Real Madrid are not doing that and I'm not talking about money.
"I'm referring to the fact that they are undervaluing him in comparison to Cristiano Ronaldo."
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