Real Madrid admit Robben interest
Madrid-bound Robben?
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Saturday, 30, Jun 2007 09:16
Real Madrid have reaffirmed their interest in taking Chelsea winger Arjen Robben to the Bernabeu this summer.
The 23-year-old Dutchman has been courted by the La Liga winners for a number of months, although Real's sporting director Predrag Mijatovic admitted that despite admiring the former PSV Eindhoven star a deal was unlikely until a new manager was appointed to replace the recently sacked Fabio Capello.
Speaking on the club's official website, Mijatovic described Robben as an "interesting, top notch player", and one that Madrid had "had our eye on since last year".
However, he added that before there was an influx of new players: "First we have to present the coach, while respecting the one who just left and the one who is coming in."
The Groningen-born star, who has flattered to deceive in the Premiership despite possessing an undeniable talent, would appear to be a like-for-like replacement for the outgoing Jose Antonio Reyes.
The Arsenal forward, who only played a peripheral role under Capello last season, has not secured a permanent deal, despite scoring a vital brace to enable Real to beat Real Mallorca and claim La Liga in a dramatic denouement on the final evening of the season.
Chelsea have insisted that the mercurial winger is not for sale and say that he is in talks to extend his contract at Stamford Bridge.