Manchester City striker Robinho told Brazilian radio that he is about to leave the Premier League club and the president of his former team Santos in Brazil said transfer talks were already underway.
Robinho told RadioBandeirantes that he had been advised by Man City directors that Sunday’s match against Scunthorpe in the FA Cup would probably be the Brazilian forward’s last for the club.
Robinho would probably return to Brazilian club Santos on loan, although the striker said details of a possible deal had not been worked out yet.
Santos president Luiz Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro said the club is already negotiating with Man City directors and will meet with them in London on Tuesday.
He told Radio Bandeirantes that he talked to Robinho a couple of days ago and the club is already looking for a new sponsor to help pay for Robinho’s salary if he returns.
“We are already working on that,” Ribeiro said. “I’m sure Robinho’s name will attract a lot of attention.”
Robinho admitted he was not playing well for City, but complained that he was not being allowed to play regularly under new coach Roberto Mancini.
“The coach was very sincere with me and said that I would play every other match,” Robinho said. “I told him that would not be interesting to me, it’s a World Cup year.”
Robinho said he wanted to return to Brazil to boost his chances of securing a place in Brazil’s World Cup side.
“I want to be playing as a starter, I want to be playing well,” Robinho said. “We are four, five months from the World Cup. We all know that there is a lot of competition to play for Brazil.”
Robinho has been a regular in Brazil’s squad under coach Dunga, but several players have been competing for a position in the team’s attack for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Among those vying for a spot are Adriano and Ronaldo, who recently successfully decided to leave European football to try to attract Dunga’s attention in Brazil.
Robinho said he was disappointed with the style of coaches in European football.
“They choose a formation and want you to play in it, it doesn’t matter if you are short or tall,” he said.
Robinho would probably have to take a pay cut if he left City to play for Santos, but he indicated that would not be a problem.
“The financial situation is important, but being happy also counts,” he said. “To play with Santos again would be exceptional.”
