Real bid to take Robben to Spain

SOCCER:Real Madrid last night said they have opened talks with Chelsea in an attempt to sign the winger Arjen Robben. The Spanish club's president, Ramon Calderon, said he was optimistic the Dutchman will be at the Bernabeu next season.

Chelsea denied any contact had been made by Real, but Calderon said: "We are in talks with Chelsea and the player. They are at an early stage but we hope to sign him. We do not know for sure how this will end up but it does appear that there is a good chance of signing him."

If the 23-year-old does sign for Madrid, it will mark the end of a long - and often embarrassing - courtship for Calderon. He promised to sign Robben, Cesc Fabregas and Kaka during last summer's elections to the Madrid presidency. No sooner had he won, however, than all three possibilities faltered.

"Robben was one of my election pledges when I was running for the presidency last year," Calderon said last night, "and that is still the case."

Although the targets have not changed in the ensuing 12 months, Calderon is adamant the outcome will. He believes Madrid's position has improved. While Chelsea threatened action over an alleged tapping-up of Robben last summer, Madrid claim to have contacted the London club first this time.

Madrid also believe the fact that Robben is yet to sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge, strengthens their position. Talks with Robben's father and agent, Hans, have left Madrid convinced the player's difficult relationship with Jose Mourinho and the limited amount of football he played last year works to their advantage, too.

Madrid will also renew their attempts to sign Fabregas in the hope that Arsene Wenger's potential departure from Arsenal could precipitate a mass exodus. They were heartened by Fabregas admitting this week: "My future is tied to Wenger."

Calderon has also insisted that he will make another attempt to sign Kaka from Milan although, suitably chastened, he was making no promises.

"We are waiting with open arms for Kaka," Calderon said."But it is now up to Milan, we know it will be difficult for them. He is the best player in the world right now."

The Madrid president also backed coach Fabio Capello to stay with the club for another season. "We will wait until the end of the campaign, but in principle I don't see why he shouldn't continue his adventure with Madrid," he said. "I have always said that I believed in him and in his past. He carried out a difficult renovation process."

Capello came under fire earlier this season when Real seemed likely to miss out on the league title and even qualification for next season's Champions League.

But the Italian coach has turned things around and Real are now challenging for the Spanish league title.

David Beckham is facing a race against time to be fit for Real's crunch Primera Liga match with Real Zaragoza tomorrow after picking up an ankle injury while on England duty.

The midfielder appeared to turn his ankle during the first half of England's 3-0 win over Estonia on Wednesday , and was substituted in the 68th minute before immediately undergoing treatment on the problem area.

Madrid announced on their medical bulletin yesterday that Beckham had strained the internal lateral ligament in his left ankle, and that the injury would be monitored over the next 24 to 48 hours while undergoing medical treatment.

The 32-year-old has not yet been ruled out of the match at Zaragoza, but his participation must now be a concern for coach Capello.

Beckham has been in good form for Madrid recently, and has helped the club move to within touching distance of their first league title since 2003 - and the former England captain's first piece of major silverware since joining the Spanish giants.

With two games remaining, Madrid are level with Barcelona on 72 points at the top of the standings, but Capello's side hold the upper hand due to their better head-to-head record against the Catalan outfit this season.

Madrid know they can clinch their first Primera Liga title since 2003 this weekend if they beat Zaragoza, and Barcelona and third-placed Sevilla lose their matches against Espanyol and Real Mallorca respectively.