ellan_vannin
Well-Known Member
Re: Barça on Robinho (Merged)
Robinho has left the door open for a possible move from Manchester City during the winter transfer window after admitting he is "happy" at interest shown by Barcelona and insisting that it is "not easy to say no" to the European champions.
Barcelona have been searching for a left-sided attacker since the end of last season's treble-winning campaign and their coach, Pep Guardiola, continues to insist on the need for reinforcements after the summer window shut without the club signing anyone in that position. Robinho has emerged as the strongest candidate. Guardiola is an admirer of the Brazilian and Barcelona believe a deal can be struck.
Asked last night about Barcelona's interest, Robinho, who is on international duty, said: "It's not easy to say no to a club like Barcelona. They are European champions, they're in a lovely city and I like Spain a lot. I have always wanted to play at clubs like Barcelona. It's a great club, any player would be happy for them to show an interest. I'm happy that Barcelona have taken notice of me. Who wouldn't like to play alongside Xavi, [Andrés] Iniesta, [Lionel] Messi, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic and all the rest. I like Barcelona; they're a great club." Robinho has been left as the most accessible of Barcelona's targets after they failed for a variety of reasons to sign David Silva, Arjen Robben, Franck Ribéry, Ashley Young or Valencia's Juan Mata.
Barcelona believe that City's manager, Mark Hughes, will be prepared to let Robinho go following a first season at Eastlands in which sparkling home performances were accompanied by dreadful away ones. Robinho was left out of the squad to face Portsmouth before the international break. He was quoted as saying that he did not want to risk a minor ankle injury because Brazil's World Cup qualifier in Argentina was "more important", although the club claimed his comments had been taken out of context.
Robinho is a doubt for City's game against Arsenal on Saturday because of a thigh problem and City could also be without Carlos Tevez after the forward suffered a knee injury against Brazil on Saturday. He has been ruled out of Argentina's qualifier against Paraguay on Wednesday although it is not believed to be serious.
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/sep/07/robinho-manchester-city-barcelona" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009 ... -barcelona</a>
Robinho has left the door open for a possible move from Manchester City during the winter transfer window after admitting he is "happy" at interest shown by Barcelona and insisting that it is "not easy to say no" to the European champions.
Barcelona have been searching for a left-sided attacker since the end of last season's treble-winning campaign and their coach, Pep Guardiola, continues to insist on the need for reinforcements after the summer window shut without the club signing anyone in that position. Robinho has emerged as the strongest candidate. Guardiola is an admirer of the Brazilian and Barcelona believe a deal can be struck.
Asked last night about Barcelona's interest, Robinho, who is on international duty, said: "It's not easy to say no to a club like Barcelona. They are European champions, they're in a lovely city and I like Spain a lot. I have always wanted to play at clubs like Barcelona. It's a great club, any player would be happy for them to show an interest. I'm happy that Barcelona have taken notice of me. Who wouldn't like to play alongside Xavi, [Andrés] Iniesta, [Lionel] Messi, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic and all the rest. I like Barcelona; they're a great club." Robinho has been left as the most accessible of Barcelona's targets after they failed for a variety of reasons to sign David Silva, Arjen Robben, Franck Ribéry, Ashley Young or Valencia's Juan Mata.
Barcelona believe that City's manager, Mark Hughes, will be prepared to let Robinho go following a first season at Eastlands in which sparkling home performances were accompanied by dreadful away ones. Robinho was left out of the squad to face Portsmouth before the international break. He was quoted as saying that he did not want to risk a minor ankle injury because Brazil's World Cup qualifier in Argentina was "more important", although the club claimed his comments had been taken out of context.
Robinho is a doubt for City's game against Arsenal on Saturday because of a thigh problem and City could also be without Carlos Tevez after the forward suffered a knee injury against Brazil on Saturday. He has been ruled out of Argentina's qualifier against Paraguay on Wednesday although it is not believed to be serious.
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/sep/07/robinho-manchester-city-barcelona" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009 ... -barcelona</a>