Real line up Robinho

Real Madrid are poised to add to their stable of galacticos by signing the Brazilian striker Robinho who has been compared to Pele by Pele himself.

The deal would give Real the first option to sign Robinho next June from the Brazilian side Santos. Robinho scored 19 goals in helping Santos to second place in the Brazilian championship last season and is top scorer this term with 21.

Real's existing strike force of Ronaldo, Raul, Michael Owen and Fernando Morientes are likely to get a touch anxious if Pele's successor does finally sign for the club.

Robinho has also been making the news back home as on Saturday his mother Marina de Souza was abducted by two armed men in what appears to be the latest in a series of kidnap sagas that have plagued the country in recent years.

"He's having a very difficult time at the moment," his agent Wagner Ribeiro said.