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."