Chelsea Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42,440

Robben to Real talk builds

18 Jul 2007 - 14:20:08

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Reports suggest unsettled Chelsea winger Arjen Robben has agreed personal terms with Real Madrid.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho had earlier cooled talk of the Netherlands international leaving Stamford Bridge, but the BBC reports that, although the clubs are yet to agree a fee, Robben will fly to Madrid on Friday.

The Spanish club's president, Ramon Calderon, admits that he wants to sign the 23-year-old, telling radio station Onda Cero: "It is a negotiation which will take place in the coming days or weeks.

"If the situation is favourable financially, I think that he is a player who could be brought in."

Mourinho had earlier said: "The club wants to keep these players (Robben, Frank Lampard and John Terry). I trust the board and our chief executive Peter Kenyon in the negotiations he is doing.

"I know the players want to stay and I would be happy if they signed.

"The latest with Robben is that he played the game (against Suwon Bluewings). I cannot tell you more than that.

"At the moment he is a Chelsea player with two more years of contract and he is working well.

"For me, he is a player like Terry or Lampard with two more years of contract.

"I look at him as a Chelsea player and he has to compete against very good wingers like we have. I am happy with the situation."

Robben has spoken throughout the summer of his frustration over new contract talks and his future was placed in further doubt when Mourinho signed Lyon winger Florent Malouda earlier this month.