Real Madrid have agreed to sign Santos
striker Robinho for $30 million, the Spanish club said on their website
on Thursday.
The nine-times European champions said they paid 60 percent of the $50
million buy-out clause stipulated in the player's contract in order to
buy Santos's share of his rights.
His agent Wagner Ribeiro said Robinho had agreed to forego the 40
percent to which he was entitled, which accounts for the shortfall of
$20 million.
Meanwhile, Santos said they did not know about the development.
"It's settled," Ribeiro told Reuters.
"Robinho is just waiting for a transfer certificate to travel. He waived
the 40 percent to which he was entitled to be able to fulfill his dream
of playing for Real Madrid."
Real have been chasing the 21-year-old forward since last year but had
met with stiff resistance from Santos, who wanted to hold on to the
youngster who had played such an instrumental role in their recent
success.
Santos president Marcelo Teixeira, who has accused Real of approaching
the player without his club's permission, said the Brazilian side had
yet to receive the money.
"No deposit has been made," he told Brazilian television before refusing
to answer any more questions.
A club spokesman added that Santos believed they were entitled to be
paid the full $50 million.
Robinho would be Real's third signing of the close season, following
Uruguayan duo Pablo Garcia and Carlos Diogo.
His arrival will cast doubts on the future of England striker Michael
Owen, whose place in Real's starting line-up could be in jeopardy.
Real also have Ronaldo and Raul on their books, meaning there will be
four strikers battling for places up front.
Robinho, who was won 12 Brazil caps and scored four goals, is one of the
world's most exciting players and was an ever-present in the team which
won the Confederations Cup in Germany last month.
The Santos striker, who burst on to the scene as an 18-year-old when he
helped Santos win their first Brazilian championship in 2002, has been
the subject of speculation over a move to Real for the best part of a
year.
Robinho has also been linked with Benfica, PSV Eindhoven, Arsenal and
Chelsea.
His trickery, ball skills and physique have often led to comparisons
with Pele, who spent most of his career at Santos, although the
youngster has yet to be fully tested against the world's top defenders.
MISSED TRAINING
Robinho has been at loggerheads with Santos since the end of the
Confederations Cup when he bade farewell to the supporters and said he
was close to signing a deal with Real.
After returning to Brazil, Robinho defied orders to go back to the club
and missed 12 training sessions and three matches.
Teixeira went on holiday to Miami and, when he returned, media reports
said he refused to meet a Real delegation who had travelled to Santos.
Spanish media reported earlier on Thursday that Robinho had undergone a
medical check-up at a clinic in Sao Paulo before signing for Real.
Sports daily Marca said he was subjected to a battery of tests under the
supervision of Joaquim Grava and Real's chief of medical staff Alfonso
del Corral.
Real are currently in China on the second leg of a pre-season tour of
the United States and Asia.
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