Home>News Center>Sports>Center
         
 

Robinho edges closer to Real
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-01 10:52

Santos have slapped a 50 million dollar price tag on Robinho after the Brazil striker said he wanted to join Real Madrid before the start of the new season.


Brazilian striker Robinho controls the ball during the Confederations Cup final against Argentina. Santos have slapped a 50 million dollar price tag on Robinho after the striker said he wanted to join Real Madrid before the start of the new season.[AFP]
The 21-year-old, also a target of English side Arsenal, admitted his preference for Spanish football after Brazil's 4-1 Confederations Cup win over Argentina in Germany.

"I hope to play for Real. I have spoken to them. It will be good for my career to go now," he told Brazilian TV from Germany.

Santos president Marcelo Teixeira said Robinho could only go after the 2006 World Cup.

Robinho, whose contract runs until 2008, said he he would return to Brazil to try to persuade Teixeira to allow him to leave.

"It'll be good for the safety of my family as well," said Robinho whose mother was kidnapped and held for 40 days last year before being released.

"Spain is an ideal country for Brazilian players and I know Real coach Wanderley Luxemburgo very well," he said Wednesday.

Luxemburgo steered Santos to the Brazilian crown in 2003, their first success since Pele's team won it 34 years ago, before taking over at Real this season.

Last month Brazil's Real Madrid left-back Roberto Carlos said a deal to bring Robinho to Madrid was virtually sealed.

But Teixeira said Madrid had better think again.

"They might have financial power but it doesn't mean they can do what they want, when they what," he said.

Robinho's agent Wagner Ribeiro said Real had given Santos a July 8 deadline to accept a 25 million dollar offer.



The 13th Annual ESPY Awards
The 13th Annual ESPY Awards
China lost to Cuba 3-2 in volleyball GP
 
  Today's Top News     Top Sports News
 

Taiwan's KMT Party to elect new leader Saturday

 

   
 

'No trouble brewing,' beer industry insists

 

   
 

Critics see security threat in Unocal bid

 

   
 

DPRK: Nuke-free peninsula our goal

 

   
 

Workplace death toll set to soar in China

 

   
 

No foreign controlling stakes in steel firms

 

   
  Fit-again Hao sets sights on Premiership prize with Blades
   
  Vieira move to Juve sealed - report
   
  China downs Cuba in women's basketball international
   
  Yao Ming predicts 2008 medal glory
   
  Gilardino's transfer to Milan put on hold
   
  Robinho ready to become Real player
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
Advertisement