Robinho shirts upset Real

Last Modified: 04 Sep 2008
Source: ITN

Manchester City's new signing Robinho claims Chelsea scuppered his move to London by selling shirts with his name on.

Robinho was expected to move to Stamford Bridge and he announced his desire to join Chelsea at the weekend but he moved joined Manchester City just before the transfer deadline.

The Brazil striker could have joined Manchester United this summer in part exchange for Cristiano Ronaldo. United refused to negotiate but Robinho was convinced the time had come to leave Real.

He said: "Real did not want to retain me. They even used me as a potential exchange to sign Cristiano Ronaldo. But as that negotiation fell through, they wanted to retain me then.

"If they didn't want to count on me, I didn't want to stay there either, so that is what I told the president.

"My first goal was to go to Chelsea as it was the only club to have made a formal offer but Real did not like Chelsea shirts with my name on being sold before sorting out the negotiations. Also, they did not reach the value Real demanded so then Manchester City came in at the last minute to sign me."

Reports suggest Brazil legend Pele has criticised Robinho for joining Manchester City.

It is claimed Pele believes Robinho was badly advised and "needs some serious counselling".

Robinho said: "I accept Pele's criticism as he is the king of football, but if he had been me, he would have done the same."

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