by Essential Sports

Updated: July 19, 2008, 1:21 PM EST 19 comments

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The Blues have been strongly linked with a move for the Brazilian ace following the appointment of compatriot Luiz Felipe Scolari at the helm of Stamford Bridge earlier this summer.

Reports earlier in the week had suggested Barcelona were also preparing a bid for Robinho, but the Catalan giants were quick to deny any such rumours.

And the player's agent, Wagner Ribeiro, insists that Real president Ramon Calderon is determined to keep Robinho, and does not expect Chelsea to be successful with their opening bid.

"I don't have an offer from Barca," Ribeiro said.

"But a director from the club called me to see how things are going with the player.

"I told him that there was a firm offer from Chelsea for €40 million (£31.75 million) but that (Madrid president) Ramon Calderon didn't want to transfer him.

"I am a man and I don't lie and the director who called me is Pepe Costa.

"I think it is difficult for Robinho to move to Chelsea and even more so to Barcelona because of the rivalry that exists between the two clubs.

"I told (Madrid sporting director) Pedja Mijatovic that Barca called me but it's as if Real Madrid wanted to sign Leo Messi."