CHELSEA NEED ANOTHER £5M FOR ROBINHO

Chelsea's bid for Robinho is believed to amount to almost £20m - but they may have to produce another £5m if they are to bring the Brazilian to Stamford Bridge.

The club announced on their website on Thursday night that they had ' made an offer to Real Madrid for the transfer of Robinho.' It's understood that Chelsea have bid £19.75m for the forward and their unusual decision to go public with their approach would seemingly indicate they are confident of getting their man.

However, according to The Independent, 'Chelsea's negotiations with Madrid could be protracted with Wagner Ribeiro, Robinho's agent, understood to be holding out for a fee closer to £25 million.'

Real are also under pressure from their fans not to sell Robinho after failing in their interminable attempt to prise Cristiano Ronaldo out of Manchester United's grasp. Yet, by offering Robinho in part-exchange for Ronaldo, the club have alienated the player and the 24-year-old has welcomed Chelsea's interest. "It would be a dream for me to work with Scolari, who is one of the best coaches in the world," he said. "I have always spoken highly of him and he has always spoken highly of me, since well before he was at Chelsea."