Chelsea insist they remain in talks to sign Robinho, the Real Madrid forward, despite reports suggesting the Brazilian will remain in the Spanish capital.

Peter Kenyon, Chelsea's chief executive, confirmed the club's interest in the player. "We have confirmed we are interested in Robinho and have had some conversations with the club," he said. "That is ongoing and as the coach has said, he is a player we have identified as a talent.

"If we could get him it would add to what we have got, but if it doesn't happen, the objectives of Chelsea are not going to change."

Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Chelsea manager, praised the 24-year-old. "Robinho is a great player, he plays for one of the best teams in the world and also Brazil," Scolari said. "But at the moment it is not more than speculation. It is the time of the year for speculation, it is the time for agents to put one player here and then there."

The former Portugal coach again refused to be drawn by comments from Sir Alex Ferguson that Chelsea will not mount a title challenge due to the age of their squad. "We are diversified - we have young players and mature players," the Brazilian said. "I strongly believe we can produce what is required this season."

When pressed about what targets he had been set for the upcoming season, Scolari refused to compare himself with Jose Mourinho, the former Chelsea manager. "My way with Chelsea is the same way I have used with my previous clubs and national teams - to win," he said. "It is the same, this is my way. I only follow this way.

"I am Luiz Felipe Scolari, I am not Jose Mourinho and I follow my way not the other way. I do not know if Mourinho said what he could achieve, but I tell my players we need to win, this is all I tell them."