Robinho

MANCHESTER, England (AP):

Manchester City appears to have beaten Chelsea to the signing of Brazil striker Robinho after Real Madrid agreed to accept a British-record £32.5 million transfer fee (US$58.5 million) yesterday. Robinho had repeatedly spoken of his desire to leave the Spanish champion for Chelsea, but City, boosted by a windfall from an imminent takeover by a United Arab Emirates business group, made a huge offer for the 24-year-old forward.

With Madrid unwilling to sell to Chelsea because of poor relations between the clubs, City was able to reach an agreement.

"Real Madrid have finally decided tonight to transfer player Robson da Souza Robinho to Manchester City," Madrid said on its website.

Robinho was in Brazil for World Cup qualifiers and neither club had yet to say whether he had signed a contract. Spanish sports daily Marca said on its website that Robinho had accepted a five-year contract worth €6 million (US$8.8 million) per season. That was about three times what he reportedly earned at Madrid.

City's move to pair Robinho up front with fellow Brazilian striker Jo is one of the most audacious in English Premier League history.

Chelsea were so sure of signing the player that they had angered Madrid by briefly offering for sale shirts bearing his name. Madrid rejected Chelsea's initial €32 million (US$46.8 million) bid. Only on Sunday, Robinho told a brief news conference that he had informed Madrid president Ramon Calderon, sports director Predrag Mijatovic and coach Bernd Schuster of his desire to move to Chelsea.

Chelsea, which was managed by Robinho's former Brazil coach and compatriot, Luiz Felipe Scolari, had reportedly offered Robinho a large increase on his current annual salary of about €2.1 million (US$3.1 million).

But City's improved financial status appears to have given them the advantage over Chelsea, which have recently enjoyed a huge edge over rivals because of the backing of billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.

Robinho was left out of Madrid's squad for its opening Spanish league defeat at Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday, with Schuster saying he wanted to make the forward feel at home again once the transfer window had closed.