THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MADRID, Spain — Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon said Robinho can terminate his contract and join Chelsea but suggested he will have to pay a large sum to do so.
Reacting to Robinho’s stated desire to switch clubs, Calderon said it may not be necessary for Robinho to pay the astronomical sum specified in the buyout clause in his contract — US$177 million.
"He would terminate his contract and the courts would decide what he has to pay. We want Robinho to stay at Madrid but this situation leaves us unable to do anything," Calderon told radio station Cadena SER on Saturday.
Calderon said the Brazil forward must now write to Madrid informing of his desire to end his contract.
In a statement issued late Friday, Madrid said it "would never retain a player against his wishes so we have no alternative to accept the unilateral rescinding of his contract."
Calderon suggested that the statement did not mean Madrid would enter negotiations with Chelsea.
"He can leave as early as possible but he must accept the consequences of rescinding a contract which has two years to run," he said.
Madrid has already rejected a $47 million bid from Chelsea, although Robinho’s agent, Wagner Ribeiro, has suggested that a $59 million offer from Stamford Bridge could still seal the deal.
However, Calderon said that Robinho would not even be sold for $74 million.
"No, because transfers take place when competitions are over. Not five days before the season starts. It is a lack of respect for the club, its history and the supporters," he said.
Robinho, who is under contract until 2010, pleaded with Real Madrid on Friday to sell him to Chelsea before the European transfer window closes at the end of the month.
Saying Chelsea’s offer was good for him and Madrid, the 24-year-old striker said his aim of becoming the best player in the world would not be fulfilled by staying.
Chelsea has reportedly offered Robinho a large increase on his current reported $3.1 million annual salary. The London club is also managed by his compatriot Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Robinho, who joined Madrid from Santos three years ago, has reportedly been annoyed by the Spanish club’s refusal to allow him to play at the Olympic Games.
Madrid’s plan to use him as a makeweight in its failed pursuit of Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo also persuaded the forward that his future lay elsewhere.
Chelsea, which lost the Champions League final against United on penalties and finished runner-up in the Premier League, has already strengthened its squad for the new season with the signings of FC Porto full back Jose Bosingwa and FC Barcelona midfielder Deco.
Robinho didn’t train Saturday, a day before the second leg of the Spanish Supercup against Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
However, the Brazilian was included by coach Bernd Schuster in the 18-man squad for the game, setting him up for a potentially rough reception from Madrid supporters.
"He has been picked because he is in perfect condition to play," Schuster said on Madrid’s website. "I’m convinced that Robinho will stay."