Real Get Robinho
7/21/2005 10:52:00 PM
Real Madrid have finally signed Santos striker Robinho in a £16.6 million deal.
The Spanish giants have been chasing Brazil’s highly-rated 21-year-old all summer, and with Robinho recently refusing to play any more games for Santos, a transfer looked more and more likely.
Reports in Spain this morning that Robinho had undergone a ‘secret’ medical for Real suggested that the transfer was not only inevitable but imminent.
And tonight, Real’s media chief Antonio Garcia Ferreras confirmed: "We’ll pay 24 million Euros, that’s 60 per cent of the buy-out clause," referring to the fee of £28.4 million (41 million Euros) that Santos had demanded.
"The other 40 per cent should be paid to the player and his agent, but they will forego their share."
Garcia Ferreras added that the fee will initially be paid to the Brazilian Football Confederation rather than Santos.
"It’s settled," added Robinho’s agent Wagner Riberio.
"I’ve just deposited US$30 million with the Brazilian Football Confederation to be passed on to Santos.
"Robinho is just waiting for a transfer certificate to travel. He waived the 40 per cent to which he was entitled to be able to fulfil his dream of playing for Real Madrid."
The striker was determined to continue his career in the Spanish capital and made it clear after helping Brazil win the Confederations Cup that he saw his future in Europe.
"It’ll be good for the safety of my family," said Robinho, whose mother was kidnapped and held captive for 40 days last year before being released.
"Spain is an ideal country for Brazilian players and I know Real coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo very well. My mind is at Real Madrid."
One of those fellow-Brazilians, Ronaldo, said of the prospect of linking up with Robinho: “With him playing we are going to have fun.”
Robinho also claimed that Santos president Marcelo Teixeira had reneged on a promise to let him leave the club for £6.76 million by upping the price to £28.4 million.
"In October last year, when PSV Eindhoven and Benfica were interested in me, the president told me that he would let me go after the [Copa] Libertadores for 10 million Euros (£6.76 million)," Robinho said.
"Real Madrid are offering $25 million (£14.2 million) and he doesn’t want to let me go. I hope he keeps his promise."
Teixeira insisted that, with Robinho under contract until 2008, any club wanting to sign him would have to meet a £28.4 million penalty clause for the player.
But his tough stance cut no ice with Robinho, who promptly refused to play any more games for Santos after returning from the Confederations Cup.
Robinho, who missed three Brazilian Championship matches, has been fined an undisclosed amount by Santos for every day he has failed to report for duty.
He has reportedly instructed his lawyers to take the case to a local labour court.
His arrival at the Bernabeu will inevitably heighten speculation about fellow-striker Michael Owen’s future with the club.
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