Spanish sports newspaper AS have reported late last night a series of events that have caused a red faced Calderon to blow his top and announce that “Robinho is staying – and there’s no going back!”

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The Real Madrid President remained in Madrid yesterday afternoon instead of travelling with the delegation to Monaco for the Champions League draw but had been in telephone contact with Schuster.  The Real Madrid manager had appeared very tired of the whole Robinho affair during a press conference the evening before and gave reporters an abrupt “I’m tired and I want to go home.”  Apparently Robinho has been moping around and has been uncooperative with Schuster and all this hasn’t gone down well with Calderon.

Then reports began arriving in Spain yesterday that the Chelsea megastore had been advertising Robinho shirts for sale on-line – albeit with a “TBC” (to be confirmed) description alongside the player´s name.

The shirts were actually first advertised some days ago but Chelsea have now removed them so as not to annoy Calderon further, however, I must say, this is an extraordinary cock-up of monumental proportions – how on earth did this happen?  I imagine heads will be seen rolling down the Fulham Road in the not to distant future?

Now don’t get me wrong, Real Madrid are one of the most corrupt, arrogant and offensive clubs in football history – I couldn’t give a monkey’s about their pompous, hypocritical posturing but certainly our conduct does demonstrate a lack of tact in sensitive negotiations that might contribute to ruining one of our most historic transfers.

Having said all that, I don’t really believe that the shirt in the "megastore debacle" on it’s own is enough to halt the deal (that could easily be explained away) – I’m convinced it has a lot more to do with Calderon’s loss of face in front of his electorate over the Ronaldo affair, the subsequent faux pas over Robinho and more recently, his failure to capture Villa from Valencia or Cazorla from Villa Real as a replacement.

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Next up, Calderon was informed that Kenyon was having a very late dinner Wednesday evening in a restaurant called “De Maria” with Robinho´s agent Wagner Ribeiro.  Apparently, Kenyon was expecting a private discussion but was surprised to be surrounded by dozens of reporters upon leaving with Ribeiro in the early hours (although apparantly this restaurant is very close to Real Madrid´s stadium anyway!).  Ribeiro was described as “euphoric” and reported to have told some reporters that Chelsea wanted Robinho to have his medical immediately and play against Spurs this weekend.

So, what have we got here?  Probably a verbal agreement between clubs over the transfer and no doubt a further agreement for nothing to be announced until Madrid have a guaranteed replacement before the transfer window closes – meanwhile, we have been rubbing their noses in it, Robinho´s agent has been stirring the pot and Calderon still hasn’t managed to find a last ditch replacement.

Time is running out.  Chelsea may also be tracking Sevilla striker Fabiano according to the Spanish media; Real Madrid don’t yet have a replacement for Robinho but on the other hand have a good offer for a player who is really throwing his toys out the pram – Calderon is red faced through embarrassment and more recently, rage – so what does he do?  Probably this afternoon we will find out one way or the other.

Fingers crossed!

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