A story which the club had attempted to quash returns today, with Catalan daily Sport devoting the whole of page four to the story that Robinho is to pressure City for a move to Barcelona. (In Spanish HERE, in English HERE.)
The article, by Paul Giblin, claims that Barcelona hope to intensify negotiations for Robinho's transfer this week. This is in the knowledge that Robinho wants a move away from City to a more successful club. Interestingly, it is claimed that Robinho had previously been in contact with José Mourinho about a possible move to Inter, something which allegedly further deteriorated Robinho's relationship with Mark Hughes.
It then quotes one of Robinho's advisors claiming that he wants to play for a bigger club to win trophies, and mentions the role that Barça coach Pepe Costa will have in negotations, given his role as a liason between Barcelona and the Brazilian national team. Finally it claims that Robinho's father and his agent will travel with Robi to Manchester after the Confederations Cup to discuss this with MCFC.
As ever, it's hard to know what to think about this. It's certainly true that Sport is close to people at FC Barcelona, and many of its stories come from within the club. But even if we assume that this story has come from Barça, that doesn't necessarily make it true. The relationship between Real Madrid and Marca demonstrates how a club can use a friendly newspaper to its advantage in the transfer market.
Maybe Robinho is agitating for a move to Barcelona. If I was a footballer I'd certainly rather play for them than for City. For what it's worth though, I don't think Robinho is sufficiently disciplined or hard-working to make it at Guardiola's Barcelona. Regardless, the firmness with which Garry Cook responded to this story last week suggests that a deal is some way away. And with the arrivals of two other South American forwards immanent, I'd like to think we can build a squad that can cope with even the departures of our biggest names.
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4 comments:
I WANT to take this with a pinch of salt - I mean, Robbie was telling Tevez to join him at City the other day, so why would he do that he if wanted to leave? But the fact that this story keeps coming up is a worry. Yes, with enough quality bought in we could probably cope with his loss, but I personally wouldn't want him to go. A forward line of Robbie, Tevez and RSC? How dangerous would that be?! I hope these are just media stirrings / speculations and this story dies a death when Robbie comes back from the Confederations cup.
If he does go and its more the number of thse claims that tends to make me feel they are true, then his immaturity and hypocrisy will be plain for all to see. I suspect what is going on with Elano has a lot to do with this.
This is an easy one to figure out. Robinho has got wind of interest from Barcelona and is encouraging them by showing as much interest as he’s allowed to. As you rightly say, of course he’d rather play for them than City. But for him to move, Barcelona would surely have to fail to sign Ribery or Villa because City are going to want at least £32 million and Barca aren’t going to spend that kind of money three times in one summer. Until Barca’s main targets decide where they’re going, Robinho is going to have to sit and wait.
Dont worry - if he does go it guarantees that Eto'o will come the other way. Hell of a silver lining!!!
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