Football Talk - Robinho set for return to Santos 25/01/10
Manchester City striker Robinho reiterated his desire to leave Eastlands on Sunday and confirmed a loan return to Santos is '90 per cent certain'.
The Brazil international was quoted by Radio Bandeirantes over the weekend as saying that he was set to leave City because he would not be guaranteed regular football by Roberto Mancini in a World Cup year. City's manager revealed after Sunday's victory over Scunthorpe in the FA Cup that he wanted Robinho to stay in England.
"Hopefully in the end Robinho will stay here," said the City boss. "In the next day the situation can change but at the moment he stays here and I am very happy for him. I think one player can stay in a squad only if he is happy - if he wants to play every game and if he wants to work every day. That is most important because the players and manager must be happy."
But British-record signing Robinho, who started and scored against Scunthorpe, is also quoted as saying that is left to negotiate with Santos is the time period of his loan. He said: "It's all good progress. Santos are only looking at the length of contract because they want a year and City want only six months but I think it is 90% sure.
"Santos are talking to the staff of City and I think that within three days we can define it all. What's important is to be happy. The directors all agree that it's better to send me out on loan. It would be exceptional to return to Santos."
The former Real Madrid player's time at City has proved disappointing since he arrived from Spain in a £32.5million deal in September 2008. Robinho, who turns 26 today, said in his interview with Radio Bandeirantes: "The coach was very sincere with me and said that I would play every other match. I told him that would not be interesting to me, it's a World Cup year."
