From ESPNsoccernet: August 7,2008

Chelsea are closing in on Real Madrid's want-away winger Robinho after reportedly making a bid for the Brazilian international.  

Sky Sports News claims that the Blues have put up £19.7million for the midfielder, who was blocked from taking part in his country's Olympic campaign.

Madrid signed Hamburg midfielder Rafael van der Vaart this week after a knee injury ruled out Dutchman Wesley Sneijder and the club may be tempted to offload Robinho, despite failing to lure Cristiano Ronaldo away from Manchester United.

A statement on the Blues' website read: 'Further to media reports, Chelsea Football Club can confirm we have made an offer to Real Madrid today for the transfer of Robinho.'

 The Brazilian could be Scolari's final signing of the summer.

New addition Deco is keen to link up with the Brazilian, claiming: 'Robinho is a spectacular player. He's got incredible skill, he has magic and is capable of anything on a football pitch.

'His quality is amazing. It would be great if he joined us and he'd be made very welcome here.'

Robinho is also keen on a move, having been quoted as saying: 'It would be a dream for me to work with Luiz Felipe Scolari, who is one of the best coaches in the world.

'I have always spoken highly of him and he has always spoken very highly of me, since well before he was at Chelsea.

'In 2003, when I was unknown in Europe, he called me to play in a charity match. It was brief but it was enough for me to see his style and character.'

Luiz Felipe Scolari Is Rebuilding The Famed Chelsea Franchise

And Robinho's agent, Wagner Ribeiro, was reported as saying in Spain: 'Madrid have failed to value him as he deserves and I do not like the fact that they tried to include him in the Ronaldo deal. Money is not the problem for us now.

What matters for Robinho is to leave the club and play for Scolari at Chelsea.'

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