Robinho to return to City as loan deal expires

Robinho has issued a plea to remain at Santos but now looks certain to return to Manchester City this summer.

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Robinho is due to leave Santos before the new Premier League season

• July 26: City order Robinho return

Robinho moved to Eastlands from Real Madrid in a £32.5 million deal in 2008, but he has struggled to adapt to the Premier League and was allowed to return to his homeland in a six-month loan deal in January.

Robinho is still collecting his £160,000-a-week salary from his club and Santos claim that City have asked for €40 million in order to seal his transfer away from Eastlands.

The move back to Santos saw Robinho regain his form and he was one of the more impressive performers for Brazil at the World Cup, but it now appears he will have to return to England.

Speaking after being given a standing ovation at the end of Santos' 2-0 win in the first leg of the Brazilian cup final against Vitoria, Robinho said: "This display of affection from the fans really touches me because this is my home.

"I hope I can stay but it depends on Manchester City. I hope this is not my last game here but, for now, what I have been told is that they [the negotiations] are at a standstill and I have to go back to Manchester."

Nonetheless, Robinho - who has been linked with Turkish side Besiktas, among other clubs - is hopeful Santos will resurrect the move.

"It's not easy to convince the English to agree a deal, but I trust the leaders of Santos to be successful," he said. "I think I belong here in Brazil more than the Premier League. My agents have received several offers from clubs in Europe but everything is on hold until Santos meet City."

Santos president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro said: "We are negotiating and we are hopeful, but Manchester City have made it clear to us they are not going to loan him again and that they just want to sell him. We can try a new loan in January. I think it would be easier then."

Earlier this week, Roberto Mancini indicated that he expected Robinho to form part of his 25-man squad for next season.

"The situation is that Robinho will finish his contract with Santos," Mancini said. "He will stay in Brazil for another week, play for the national team and, after that, he will return to Manchester City."