Chelsea lead Real Madrid for Brazilian starlet Robinho

Chelsea are leading the chase to sign Santos whiz-kid Robinho.
Despite the push from Real Madrid, Robinho's agent, Wagner Ribeiro, told the News of the World: "Chelsea are the only team who have confirmed they are prepared to pay £14m."

"Robinho is excited at the prospect of the move and we are trying to make sure everything is okay."

According to Ribeiro, the Blues are keen to seal the deal when the transfer window re-opens in January.

He added: "We are following Chelsea very closely in order to give Robinho all the information, so he is not scared of going to a country so different to Brazil."

"But Robinho asked me to check clubs in Europe after what happened with his mother. Chelsea have made an offer and that is encouraging."

Robinho, who plays for Santos, wants to leave Brazil in order to avoid a repeat of the recent kidnapping of his mother, who was snatched during a barbecue.