Robinho edges closer to Real

Brazilian striker Robinho controls the ball during the Confederations Cup final against Argentina. Santos have slapped a 50 million dollar price tag on Robinho after the striker said he wanted to join Real Madrid before the start of the new season.

Santos have slapped a 50 million dollar price tag on Robinho after the Brazil striker said he wanted to join Real Madrid before the start of the new season.

The 21-year-old, also a target of English side Arsenal, admitted his preference for Spanish football after Brazil's 4-1 Confederations Cup win over Argentina in Germany.

"I hope to play for Real. I have spoken to them. It will be good for my career to go now," he told Brazilian TV from Germany.

Santos president Marcelo Teixeira said Robinho could only go after the 2006 World Cup.

Robinho, whose contract runs until 2008, said he he would return to Brazil to try to persuade Teixeira to allow him to leave.

"It'll be good for the safety of my family as well," said Robinho whose mother was kidnapped and held for 40 days last year before being released.

"Spain is an ideal country for Brazilian players and I know Real coach Wanderley Luxemburgo very well," he said Wednesday.

Luxemburgo steered Santos to the Brazilian crown in 2003, their first success since Pele's team won it 34 years ago, before taking over at Real this season.

Last month Brazil's Real Madrid left-back Roberto Carlos said a deal to bring Robinho to Madrid was virtually sealed.

But Teixeira said Madrid had better think again.

"They might have financial power but it doesn't mean they can do what they want, when they what," he said.

Robinho's agent Wagner Ribeiro said Real had given Santos a July 8 deadline to accept a 25 million dollar offer.