Real Madrid’s attempts to sign Brazilian ace Robinho have hit a snag after the player’s mother was kidnapped.
The Spanish giants have been in preliminary talks with Santos and the player’s agents Wagner Ribeiro and Juan Figer about a move to El Santiago Bernabeu.
Robinho is regarded as one of the best talents in South America and his performances for Santos have attracted the interest of several European sides.
Benfica, Chelsea, Barcelona and PSV Eindhoven have all been linked with the striker, but Real Madrid are hoping to steal a march on their rivals by setting up a deal for the 20-year-old.
Reports in Brazil have claimed that Real have agreed a fee in the region of $20 million with Santos for Robinho, with the player arriving in the Spanish capital next summer.
Robinho’s agent Wagner Ribeiro revealed that talks between all parties had stalled following the kidnapping of the player’s mother, but that he is hopeful a deal can be struck.
“Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo have phoned me to let me know that they can help Robinho for anything that he could need in Madrid,” said Ribeiro.
“Now that I have received this information about what has happened with his mother I have stopped the meetings for the negotiations.
“Robinho phoned me and he cried a lot and was shocked about what was happening but he told me to take care of the negotiations.
“He told me to stay in Spain, not to return to Brazil and to keep on having conversations with Real Madrid.”
