RIO DE JANEIRO, May 5 (Xinhua) -- Botafogo have approached former Dutch winger Arjen Robben about the possibility of coming out of retirement to play for the Brazilian club.
Ricardo Rotenberg, a Botafogo director, revealed on Tuesday that he made contact with the former Bayern Munich star to see whether he would be willing to join the Brazilian outfit.
"There is a risk because he has been out of the game for a while," Rotenberg told the Globo Esporte news service. "But I enquired and he answered me. He was happy about our interest."
Botafogo's attempt to woo Robben comes less than four months after they signed Japanese playmaker Keisuke Honda. The two-time Brazilian Serie A champions have also held talks with former Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure and ex-Chelsea star John Obi Mikel in recent weeks.
Rotenburg said that in addition to his own conversation with Robben, Rio-based player agent Marcos Leite had contacted the 36-year-old's representatives to see if a deal was possible.
"He [Leite] has helped me there," Rotenberg said. "It's going to difficult. Apart from the fact that he hasn't played for a long time, he can earn four times more at another club."
Rotenburg also confirmed Botafogo's interest in former Manchester United defenders Rafael and Fabio da Silva, both of whom are currently based in France.
The twins, who play for Lyon and Nantes, respectively, have expressed a desire to join the club they supported as children after their current contracts expire in June 2021. Enditem
