| Robinho would be reunited with Real coach Wanderley Luxemburgo | |
MADRID, Spain -- Real Madrid are close to signing young Brazilian forward Robinho from Santos, the player's agent has said.
Negotiations are taking place for Robinho to join Madrid on June 30, just after the Spanish league season ends, agent Juan Figger announced.
He said it was impossible for Robinho to move earlier because Madrid already holds its maximum quota of three non-European Union players.
Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Walter Samuel are currently on Real's books.
"We're close but whenever it's an important contract details arise, sometimes important ones," Figger was quoted as saying by Europa Press.
"We're talking about all these details. Players of a different level get signed up but you don't sign up a high-level player like Robinho that easily."
Madrid has first option on Robinho, even though other clubs are also interested in signing him, Figger said. English Premier League leader Chelsea are believed to be one of them.
"Real Madrid is a great club. We're going to give it preference and we're going to wait and see whether we can find common ground," Figger said.
Robinho is likely to command a transfer fee of around 18 million euros ($23.5 million).
If Robinho joins Madrid, he will be reunited with the club's new coach, Wanderley Luxemburgo. He left Santos last month after the club won its second league title in three years.
Transfer negotiations have been hampered by the kidnapping in November of Robinho's mother, Marina Lima de Souza. She was released 40 days later.
Gravesen debut
Newcomer Thomas Gravesen will make his first start for Real Madrid against second division Valladolid in the King's Cup third round on Wednesday.
Coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo confirmed the Danish international, who joined from Everton last week, and striker Javier Portillo, back from a loan spell at Fiorentina, both start the second leg tie at the Bernabeu.
Former youth team player Portillo will line up alongside Michael Owen in attack as Real bid to reach the quarterfinals after a 0-0 draw at Valladolid last week.
Midfielders David Beckham, Guti and Solari, goalkeeper Iker Casillas and defenders Michel Salgado and Walter Samuel have all been left out of the squad, while center-back Ivan Helguera is unavailable due to an ankle injury.
First-choice strikers Ronaldo and Raul have been included, but are likely to watch from the bench.
Luxemburgo denied his selection policy showed that winning the Cup was not a priority for the club.
"In football you always have to take certain risks," the Brazilian said.
"I want to have a team that can win all three competitions that they are in. I don't want to go out in the Cup and the team I have selected is capable of beating Valladolid."
