"I don't have an offer from Barca," Ribeiro told Catalan radio station Onda FM. "But a director from the club called me to see how things are going with the player.

"I told him that there was a firm offer from Chelsea for 40million euros (£31.75m) but that (Madrid president) Ramon Calderon didn't want to transfer him.

"I am a man and I don't lie and the director who called me is Pepe Costa.

"I think it is difficult for Robinho to move to Chelsea and even more so to Barcelona because of the rivalry that exists between the two clubs.

"I told (Madrid sporting director) Pedja Mijatovic that Barca called me but it's as if Real Madrid wanted to sign Leo Messi."