Arnesen Brings Robinho Transfer Closer

Robinho´s agent, Vagner Ribeiro has admitted that very recent contact has been established between himself and Chelsea Football Club sporting director, Frank Arnesen. Robinho apparently doesn’t feel valued by Real Madrid – both player and agent are irked that the Spanish club may want to use the player as a bargaining chip to secure the services of Cristiano Ronaldo.

"It is true Chelsea are interested.  I met with Arnesen in London and he confirmed to me that Chelsea wanted my player for next season."  

"Neither Robinho nor I like the fact that Real Madrid can use him as part exchange in their bid to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.”.  

"We don't like this attitude and we want Madrid to start valuing Robinho because at the moment they're not.” 

"Robinho's priority is to continue at Real Madrid, 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."

Chelsea have registered their interest just after the end of the season and we can presume that Scolari is either in agreement with the efforts to bring the 24 year old to Stamford Bridge OR that Scolari knew he was going to be appointed some time ago and already held discussions with Arnesen over what players he required.  Certainly, Arnsesen´s involvement clarifies that his own remit is not that of just signing the best youngsters from around the globe. 

It would appear that the Robinho transfer to the Bridge largely depends on how much the player´s ego is being affected by his clubs willingness to "trade him in" and whether Ronaldo does go to Real Madrid – and certainly a generous transfer fee to the coffers of Schuster’s club would help that along. 

But what if Ferguson was to demand a couple of players such as Robinho also in exchange? How much control does the player have over his own destiny?

Certainly with Robinho on one flank and someone like Quaresma on the other, we could see something like the exciting football we witnessed when Robben and Duff were in the squad.