Robinho deal could threaten Owen future

Real Madrid have announced that Robinho will join the Spanish giants from Santos on a five-year deal on August 25 in a move which could have serious implications for Michael Owen.

Real, who have been chasing the 21-year-old since the winter transfer window, confirmed the impending arrival of the player with a statement on the club’s official website.

“Real Madrid and Santos have arrived at an agreement for the transfer of Robinho,” said www.realmadrid.com.

Robinho’s arrival will bring the number of Brazilian strikers at a club coached by a Brazilian, Wanderley Luxemburgo, to three.

A £17m (€24.7m) move for Sevilla’s Julio Baptista was completed last night and Ronaldo is already in place.

Meanwhile, Madrid favourite and Spain international Raul is thought to be untouchable.

Owen, who did not secure a starting place following his move to the Bernabeu last summer, has been linked with a return to England with Arsenal and Newcastle said to be among those interested.

Neither Santos not Real Madrid have confirmed a fee, although it is thought Robinho – one of the hottest properties in world football – will cost Madrid around £20m (€29m).

The announcement ends a long-running transfer saga that appeared to have stalled earlier in the week, when the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) refused to sanction Robinho's move to the Primera Liga giants for a fee of £17.25m (€25m).

CBF legal director Carlos Eugenio Lopes argued that Santos were entitled to £28.75m (€41.7m) for the player – the sum in the release clause of Robinho’s contract.