Fenerbahce reportedly bids big for Robben

Reports from the Turkish media suggest that Fenerbahce is set to make a staggering $36 million bid to land Real Madrid winger Arjen Robben.

After a summer of extravagant spending, Madrid sporting director Jorge Valdano must offload a portion of his squad in order to balance the books and potentially free up extra funds to make another foray into the transfer market.

It is thought that if any substantial bid arrived for former Chelsea winger Robben, then he would be allowed to discuss terms with any potential suitors.

The Dutchman is contracted at the Bernabeu until 2012, and his employers want to recoup some, if not all, of the $50 million it spent to bring the player to Spain in the summer of 2007.

Speculation has suggested that English Premier League sides Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City are interested in taking the 25-year-old back to England, but are unlikely to meet Madrid's asking price.

Now Fenerbahce's German coach Cristoph Daum appears to have earmarked Robben, who would become the most expensive signing in Turkish soccer history, after the same club signed Daniel Guiza from Real Mallorca for $24 million in 2008.

The main stumbling block, however, may be Robben's lack of enthusiasm for a move away from Spain.