Premier League: Madrid Move in Robben's Hands As Chelsea Aim to Keep Winger

Arjen Robben will have to request a transfer from Chelsea formally if he is to force through a move to Real Madrid before the window closes at the end of next month, with the Premiership club still steadfastly resistant to him leaving Stamford Bridge.

Real's sporting director, Predrag Mijatovic, is understood to have tried to contact the Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich, personally as he attempts to agree a fee for the 23-year-old but he has made little progress. Indeed, Abramovich is believed to have stated that Robben is not for sale at any price when he spoke to Mijatovic this week.

Such a stance would please the manager, Jose Mourinho, who has insisted publicly throughout his side's pre-season tour of California that Robben is very much part of his plans for the forthcoming Premiership campaign. He still hopes agreement can be reached with the winger on a new five-year contract, but talks between the club and the Dutchman's agent and father, Hans, and lawyer Tom Smith have failed as yet to reach a resolution.

Stuart Pearce has been appointed England Under-21 manager on a full-time basis. Pearce, who had been in part-time control since January and led the side to the European Under-21 championship semi-finals last month, has agreed a two-year contract.

The Queens Park Rangers winger Lee Cook has signed for Fulham in a deal believed to be in the region of £2.5m. Two goals from Robin van Persie and one from Theo Walcott gave Arsenal a 3-0 pre-season victory over the Turkish side Genclerbirligi in Austria last night.