Robinho to stay with Santos

Santos have insisted that Robinho will not be leaving the club before July 2005.

The 20-year-old starlet has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks with a host of European clubs reported to be chasing his signature.

Benfica, Chelsea and PSV Eindhoven have all been mooted as potential suitors of the young forward, while in recent days Real Madrid were understood to be close to clinching a deal for him.

However, talking at a press conference at which Robinho was speaking about the kidnap of his mother, Teixeira made it clear the player would not be heading for Europe until the end of the season, at the earliest.

"I guarantee that Robinho will stay at Santos until July 2005," he declared.

"There isn't any pre-contract with Benfica, PSV, Real Madrid or any other team.

"I know that I have said in the past that I was going to sell Robinho after the World Cup in 2006 but each day it's getting more difficult to keep him here because many European clubs want him.

"I can't cut his career so we will negotiate for him after July 2005 - not now."