Blues on verge of signing Robinho

Chelsea are expected to complete the signing of Real Madrid winger Robinho for £28million in the next 48 hours.

The club have already had two bids for the Brazilian turned down, but chief executive Peter Kenyon travelled to Madrid last week to step up negotiations and appears to have finally got his man.

Robinho's agent, Wagner Ribiero, said: "The deal is about to be reached. Robinho's cycle in Spain has come to an end and he is looking forward to a new project."

The 24-year-old has made it clear to the hierarchy at the Bernabeu that he wants to leave and he was left on the bench for the second leg of the club's win over Valencia in the Super Cup on Sunday.

The Real Madrid fans still took time to turn on the Brazil international and accused him of being a mercenary, having made his desire to leave for London public. Chelsea have offered a contract worth around £70,000-a-week, double what he is on now, and it is understood he agreed terms months ago.

But Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon is demanding he put his desire to leave in writing. He said: "He wants to leave this club so he'll have to walk out and suffer whatever consequences that brings given that he's got two years left on his contract to us. He's shown a complete lack of respect to the club, his fellow players, our history and the fans."