Barca's Begiristain plays down Robinho rumours

Barcelona technical secretary Txiki Begiristain has played down speculation linking the Catalans with a move for Manchester City forward Robinho.

GlynKirk./GettyImages

Hughes insists Robinho is staying with City

The Brazilian is reportedly unsettled in England and pushing for a transfer from Eastlands in January, although those rumours were have been quashed by City's executive chairman Garry Cook.

City are currently preparing for the friendly against the UAE national side in Abu Dhabi, and the arrival of a Barcelona delegation in the Gulf state has increased speculation over Robinho's future.

Begiristain, director of football Raul Sanhllei and board member Albert Perrin are in Abu Dhabi as representatives of Barca to attend the draw for next month's FIFA Club World Cup.

With Robinho present as part of the City squad at the Emirates Palace training camp as he recovers from an ankle injury, the presence of Barca officials has been taken as a sign transfer talks are imminent. But Begiristain insists talk of meeting City representatives is premature and revealed a possible bid for Robinho has not been a topic of discussion between himself and Barca coach Pep Guardiola.

''We won't be meeting with City,'' Begiristain said. ''There's a prior stage missing, which is a meeting between Guardiola and me. Once the decision has been taken, we will follow the strategy for any signing.

''This meeting - between the manager and the technical secretary - hasn't taken place yet. So we're going to see the City match and that's all.''

Meanwhile, City manager Mark Hughes has not ruled out the want-away striker making his comeback from injury against Liverpool at Anfield on November 21.

"I wouldn't close the door on it," confirmed Hughes. "He probably needs a couple of weeks to get up to speed before he is considered for selection and I would imagine the Liverpool game will be too close. It would be a big ask, but we will see how he goes next week."

If Robinho does not make Anfield, he would probably face Hull at Eastlands the following week.