Real closing on Robinho

The agent of Robinho has revealed that the Brazilian youngster is 'very close' to signing for Real Madrid.

Speaking to Spanish journalists, Juan Figger claimed a deal with Real was near to completion, but revealed that the player would not be moving to Spain until the summer at the earliest.

"Legally the player can not come (to Madrid) in this period of January given that Real Madrid already have three foreign players (Roberto Carlos, Walter Samuel and Ronaldo)," Figger stated.

"It's not a matter for this week, what would we be arranging? Even if we did do it this week the player would still not be able to come."

Figger has accompanied Brazilian legend Pele on his trip to Spain, but is taking advantage of his stay by dealing with the future of two of his most high-profile clients, Robinho and Sevilla's Julio Baptista.

While it seems that Robinho's future is close to being resolved, negotiations over a new contract for Baptista are not so clear cut.

Figger confirmed an initial offer from Sevilla to extend the striker's deal had been rejected, although with the player already under contract with the Andalusian club until 2008 it seems there is no rush to strike a fresh agreement.