"Green light for Robben," trumpeted AS sports daily, quoting chairman Ramon Calderon as saying that "we need a director of the orchestra."

AS said at the weekend that Liga champions Real had struck an agreement in London with Robben's father and agent and were waiting only on Chelsea's acceptance.

Robben is currently in negotiations with Chelsea over a contract extension until 2012 but has not always been in favour with the club's Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho, who AS said has now reconciled himself to the transfer.

AS said Mourinho would replace Robben, 23, with France midfielder Florent Malouda, who is widely expected to quit French champions Lyon.

The newspaper also reported that Real would see off opposition from Barcelona and Inter Milan for AS Roma's Romanian defender Cristian Chivu, quoting agent Victor Becali as saying: Who wouldn't want to play for Real Madrid. Of course Chivu does."

Saying the transfer was imminent, Becali added Chivu would go to the club "which puts the most money on the table" which would see Real land their man for some 16 million euros.

Real's other major targets as they seek to rebuild in the post-David Beckham era are AC Milan's Brazilian playmaker Kaka and Arsenal's Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

The club are also building from the top down and were later in the week widely expected to confirm German Bernd Schuster, a former star midfielder with Real as well as Barcelona.

Schuster is fresh from leading modest Getafe to the Spanish Cup final and turning them into a top half of the table Liga outfit.