The Robinho transfer saga continues to
escalate without a resolution in sight. Reports from
Spain yesterday alleged that
the Brazilian refused to travel with the squad to
Valencia to face the Copa del
Rey champions in the Spanish Supercup, in an attempt to force Real
Madrid’s hand to allow him to join Chelsea.
In an effort to cool down the controversy, the
reigning La Liga champions immediately offered the player a new,
improved contract believed to be worth around €5 million per season
for five years, more than double what he currently
earns.
But according to Catalan-based daily, Sport, the 24 year old has rejected the latest offer and he
remains adamant not to play in for the Whites in Sunday’s game. And
things are expected to turn very ugly if both parties fail to reach
a common ground come kick-off.
Should Madrid
coach Bernd Schuster summon Robinho to take to the
Mestalla pitch and he blatantly refuses to do so, the capital club
could report him to FIFA for a breach of contract. And should he be
sanctioned by the governing body, he could be banned from playing
for up to two years.
But there could be an escape route for the
former Santos wunderkind. Such has been the stress on the player that
Marca reports that he has now gone three nights
without sleep. If he is deemed psychologically unfit to play, then
the club will have no choice but to exclude him.
The only glimmering light for Los Merengues is
that they could use Robinho as a pawn to sign Didier Drogba.
The Ivory Coast striker
has verbally pledged his future to the Blues but contractually,
there hasn’t been any new agreement between player and club to
extend his stay.
Real Madrid
are currently in the hunt for a proven,
world-class goalscorer and Drogba has been a player that they
have previously shown interest in.
