Chelsea close in on Robinho capture

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon says Luiz Felipe Scolari will have landed his only two summer targets when he signs Robinho this week.

Robinho: Looks set for Chelsea
Robinho: Looks set for Chelsea

The Brazilian featured, along with summer recruit Deco, on Scolari's shopping list when he took over at Stamford Bridge this summer.

With Deco signed and already impressing in the Premier League, Chelsea are now determined to bring Robinho to England from Real Madrid.

Kenyon said: "We are ever confident that it will get done but we have always said it will go to the wire.

"We will keep moving it on and we hope that he will be joining us here at Chelsea.

"There were two players Luiz Felipe Scolari identified. One was Deco and one was Robinho and we have already seen the impact Deco has made on the Premier League.

"I think the squad is strong and capable of competing in all competitions without Robinho, but with him it is an added dimension."

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon insisted on Wednesday night that he has not given up hope of staving off Chelsea's attempts to sign Robinho.

He told Spanish television channel La Sexta: "Robinho continues being a Real Madrid player and the coach counts on him.

"Those in charge of the sporting side of things want him to continue, and I've always wanted to follow the plans of those who really know about these things."

The transfer window will close after what is likely to be a frantic day of activity on Monday, however Chelsea appear to have no targets other than Scolari's younger compatriot.

There seems little prospect of another Brazilian, Kaka, leaving AC Milan to join the Blues, not least because the playmaker is happy at the San Siro.

Chelsea were linked with a world-record £80million bid for Kaka, but he told Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport: "Me going to Chelsea? I'm staying as a Rossoneri player.

"I should help Milan to win the trophies we're up for this season."

He added: "I've always said I'm happy at Milan and as long as my aims remain the same as Milan's I'll stay here. Until now it's always been that way.

"My goal is to win, Milan's is too. As long as we are like that, I'll remain at Milan."

One player who could still leave Chelsea is Shaun Wright-Phillips.

The winger's agent has insisted the 26-year-old England international wants to stay in London, however his opportunities at Chelsea this season could be limited and Manchester City are very eager to take him back, three years after selling him for £21million.

Wright-Phillips is also believed to interesting Everton boss David Moyes, who has had a quiet time in the transfer market this summer and is desperate to add to his squad with the transfer deadline imminent.

But the winger's agent Wayne Lindsay told www.skysports.com: "He [Wright-Phillips] doesn't want to join either of them and we are now discussing the next move to see what we do."

City manager Mark Hughes - a former Chelsea player himself - said on Wednesday: "We're obviously keen to bring him to the club if we can."

Your Comments

chelseaprince (Chelsea fan)

"barnetti (Liverpool fan),it is a wonder when it comes to chelsea transfer activity,everybody seems to be a financial expert,and they begin to equate success on he field of play with money spent.it become most stupd when liverpool fans comment on such issues like above,because it is well known that they have bought more players than all other teams in he epl,and yet,they always fall short every time,and still to the fans,its no big deal.chelsea will thrive,and win more laurels,and it does not depend on money spent,but rather on the hunger of the palyesr to turn the team into a world brand!!"

hollycr (Chelsea fan)

"Re Barnetti, how can you say that after the trophyless season you had last year!!! You nearly go knocked out of the only comp you try to win. and your still spending. you will never win the league."

bluebirddynasty (Chelsea fan)

"barnetti (Liverpool fan) last summer we only spent a paultry £17m on malouda while united spent over £50m and you splahed on torres, so why 'again'? probably a bit anxious because we are getting a player four years younger than keane with bags more potnential for around the same price if not 5-6mill more. who got the better deal there?"

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