Chelsea makes offer to Real Madrid for Robinho

LONDON (AP) -- Chelsea moved closer to signing Brazil striker Robinho after submitting a formal bid to Real Madrid on Thursday.

The Premier League club said last week that a transfer was being delayed by the Spanish champion's inability to sign a replacement.

Chelsea could have to pay up to $40 million for Robinho to join Luiz Felipe Scolari's Portuguese signings, Deco and Jose Bosingwa.

"Chelsea Football Club can confirm we have made an offer to Real Madrid today for the transfer of Robinho," was all the club said on its Web site.

The 24-year-old Robinho joined Madrid from Brazilian side Santos in 2005.