Real Madrid Table £13.5M Robben Bid

Real Madrid's quest to sign Arjen Robben has moved up a few gears following widespread media reports that Los Merengues tabled a £13.5 million bid for Chelsea's Dutch winger on Sunday night.

Robben, 23, is now said to waiting to hear whether or not Chelsea will accept the offer.

His father and agent, Hans, said: “I know Real have made a bid to Chelsea for my son.

"When you are talking about Real Madrid, it has to be said that it’s one of the best clubs in the world.

“Who wouldn’t want to play for Real Madrid? My son wants to play at clubs that can win the Champions League and Real Madrid is one of them.”
The offer from the Spanish champions more or less matches the fee Chelsea recently paid to recruit French winger Florent Malouda from Lyon.

Securing Robben's signature is becoming something of a personal crusade for Real's president Ramon Calderon, whose election manifesto promises remain empty, Milan's Kaka and Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas having rejected his advances. Robben ws the third big name he pledged to deliver to the Bernabeu.

However, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was at pains last week to stress that signing Malouda was not a signal that Robben will be ushered out of Stamford Bridge.

Robben himself has said he would be happy to stay with the Premiership side if Real’s offer is turned down, although has not yet agreed a new Chelsea contract