Pepe: Let Robinho Go If He Wants To

Robinho's Real Madrid team-mate Pepe has admitted a move to Chelsea may be the best option for the Brazil international, and insists the club would be able to replace him should he leave.

The 24-year-old Robinho announced on Friday that he was ready to leave the Spanish capital and was excited by the chance to join Premier League giants Chelsea.

Madrid have publicly insisted they have no intention of selling Robinho, but the player's agent, Wagner Ribeiro claimed on Thursday that the capital club may be open to a move should Chelsea pay a 40million euro transfer fee.

But Pepe believes forcing Robinho to stay could be damaging to the Brazilian's career.

He told a press conference: "Robinho has a contract with Madrid, but I think it would be harmful if he stayed at the club and wasn't happy about it because it would be bad for his career.

"He also has (World Cup) qualification to play with his national team and I think this would be very bad for Robinho.

"It's Robinho's opinion, he's made known his interest in leaving Madrid, but it's something the directors have to decide together with the player to find the best option for both.

"For me the best solution is for Madrid to be okay."

The Portugal international does not believe the Spanish champions need to go back into the transfer market to cover Robinho should he leave, even though the club have only brought in just three new faces for next season in Rafael van der Vaart, Ruben de le Red and Javi Garcia - the latter two of which are returning from loan deals.

"I think that there are top-drawer substitutes for Robinho, who could occupy both the left and the right wing," he said.

"We have top players to do that and Schuster knows this well."