Chelsea are aware that Bayern Munich are preparing a £15 million summer bid for Arjen Robben, their Holland winger. The German club expect a £21 million fee from Manchester United for Owen Hargreaves, the England mid-field player, and have identified Robben as their top transfer target.

Robben, who has two years remaining on his contract, will not actively seek a move away from Stamford Bridge, but is prepared to listen to offers. The 23-year-old would prefer to stay at Chelsea but has been disheartened by the news that José Mourinho, the manager with whom he has a difficult relationship, is likely to stay at the club next season. Robben had hoped that the arrival of a new manager would enable him to receive more support and allow him to play with greater freedom.

Mourinho’s attitude is similarly ambivalent. He appreciates Robben’s great talent but has grown frustrated by his poor injury record and refusal to play through the pain barrier.

The Portuguese would be loath to let him leave for a Champions League rival, however, as it would reflect badly on his man-management skills, particularly as Robben is one of few genuinely exciting players capable of providing the attacking football that Roman Abramovich, the owner, craves.

Steve Clarke, the assistant manager, revealed some of the tension between Robben and Chelsea’s management team yesterday by claiming that the winger has an “outside chance” of being fit for the Champions League semi-final, second leg away to Liverpool on Tuesday, a match the player has privately dismissed as coming too soon for him.

Robben has not played since picking up a knee injury at Anfield in January, while Michael Ballack has also been ruled out of today’s Barclays Premiership match at home to Bolton Wanderers.

Clarke went on to defend Mourinho, whose recent controversial attacks on referees, Rafael BenÍtez, the Liverpool manager, and Cristiano Ronaldo, the Manchester United winger, have led to suggestions that he is feeling the pressure as the season reaches its climax.

“José’s not paranoid, he’s not going to crack up,” Clarke said. “We’re all in control and enjoying what we’re doing. José relishes the pressure. He’s a top manager and wants to be involved in the matches that matter. He copes with the pressure very well and the people around him help him to handle the situation. Since the middle of January every match we’ve played in the league has mattered as we’ve not been able to make a mistake.

“We’ve been under pressure for some time and the crunch matches started some time ago. It’s been like that for José for five years, always chasing trophies.”

Clarke also confirmed that he has been offered a new three-year contract, as The Times revealed yesterday. “It’s been sorted and we’ll all be here next season,” he said. “It’s a boost for everyone that José’s staying as it’s been hanging over the club for too long. My plan is to stay at Chelsea. We’ve got to sit down and talk about the nitty-gritty and the figures but I want to stay. I’d be stupid to walk away.”

Chelsea v Bolton: 12.45pm, Sky Sports 3