City launch record Robinho bid

Man City look to scupper Chelsea move

Last updated: 1st September 2008

real madrid robinho

Robinho: Wanted by City

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Spanish reports claim Manchester City have agreed a 40million euros (£32.5m) deal with Real Madrid for Robinho.

Chelsea have been leading the chase for the Brazilian striker, who has insisted he wants to play for the West London giants.

Real have stood firm insisting that they did not want to sell Robinho and have refused numerous Chelsea offers in recent weeks.

Chelsea have, though, maintained confidence that they would seal a deal for the 24-year-old.

But now Man City - with new financial clout provided by their Middle East based new owners Abu Dhabi - have come straight in to offer the valuation Real placed on Robinho.

Television station La Cadena Ser, together with leading publications Marca and AS, have stated the agreement with City - which represents a British transfer record - is in place.

It remains to be seen whether Chelsea, the previous financial powerhouses of world football, will come back with a revised bid for Robinho.

Real president Ramon Calderon has confirmed that the Spanish club are to sell Robinho.

"We have agreed to sell the player for human reasons, and for footballing reasons and for an important quantity of money," Calderon told Spanish television station VEO.

"After consulting with the technical staff we have decided it was the best decision for the group and the club."

In light of Robinho's impending move to England, it is believed Real made one last bid to land Valencia's David Villa.

But despite up to €40million on the table, Los Che insisted they would not let the Spanish international striker leave.