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Real chief Calderon steps up his pursuit of Robben
Last updated at 13:39pm on 07.06.07
Arjen Robben's Chelsea future was shrouded in doubt today after it was reported in Spain that Real Madrid had opened transfer negotiations with the London club.
Speculation that the 23-year-old Holland winger would be leaving Stamford Bridge was heightened further when Chelsea remained silent over comments attributed to Real president Ramon Calderon.
Calderon claimed Madrid were in the "early stages" of talks with Chelsea and insisted he was hopeful of completing a presidential election pledge to take Robben to Real.
Robben has been in negotiations with Chelsea over a new deal which was expected to keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2012.
But talks have stalled and Madrid have seized the opportunity to try to sign the winger.
Robben was one of three players Calderon promised to bring to the Bernabeu during last summer's election campaign and he remains confident of achieving his goal.
Calderon said: "We do not know what the current situation is exactly regarding negotiations. It appears that there is a chance that we could bring him in, but we do not know what will happen in the end.
"The directors of Madrid like this player a lot and he could well be a player for Madrid in the future."
Robben's father Hans, who also acts as his agent, has consistently denied his son would leave Chelsea but Madrid's interest in the player and the impasse over contract talks at Stamford Bridge, may ultimately bring about his departure.
Reader views (2)
Arjen Robben is a worthless bag of bones. He is injured every other game and he collapses when the wind blows in his direction. He is the King of divers. Good riddance. Can't wait to see the back of him.
- Kb, London
I have been keeping up with the developments regarding Real's interest in Arjen and as a devout Chelsea fan it would hurt me to see him go and feel the Chelsea would be making a serious error in allowing him to go.
Arjen is still a very young guy, he has the whole world at his feet and we at the Bridge haven't seen his best.
Yes, get rid of players who are consistently not performing, Belahrouz for example; but also Shevchenko; what has he done to claim a place in our team; very disappointing really.
If Arjen does go, we will have lost an outstanding player and a winger like him are priceless.
- Bill Clarke, Fulham, London
