Robinho's future at Manchester City has been placed back in doubt after the Brazil international, the first showpiece signing of the Abu Dhabi United Group's revolution, confirmed that he was interested in the prospect of a January move to Barcelona.
Robinho, signed from Real Madrid for £32.5m in September last year, said there had been no approach from the European Cup winners, insisting his "allegiance" remained with City. However, he also spoke at length about his admiration for the Catalan club, repeating previous assertions over the past six months that he would like to play at Camp Nou.
"Of course I would like to play for Barcelona, who wouldn't? We could really enjoy ourselves. It would be a pleasure to play alongside [Lionel] Messi, my compatriot [Dani] Alves, Xavi, [Andrés] Iniesta, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, everyone. They are a great team. I have played against them and I know all about their quality. But until now I have only been able to play with them on the PlayStation."
Responding to a public declaration from Barcelona this week that they would like to sign the most expensive player in the Premier League, Robinho told the Spanish media he had been flattered by the attention, adding: "Pep Guardiola's side is truly spectacular. It is an honour that a coach like Guardiola speaks highly of me, for him to rate me as highly as I have read that he does. I genuinely appreciate it, from the bottom of my heart."
However, he said he was still uncertain whether the mounting speculation would manifest itself in a firm approach. "I can assure you that right now my father, who is my only representative, hasn't said anything to me about Barcelona. I don't know anything, believe me. Besides, out of respect for Manchester City, the two clubs are the ones that should talk about my transfer or loan and then tell me [what they have decided]. It's not right to talk about this hypothetical transfer or loan until there's something more concrete.
"It's a question of sitting down and talking about it when there is a concrete and serious offer. Let me make one thing clear: I have a contract with City and as a professional I owe my allegiance to them."
It is no secret that [in the summer] there was clear interest from Barcelona in signing me but Manchester City didn't want to negotiate. I was declared non-transferable and that's the way it stays.""; I'm concentrating on doing the best I can for City. We're thinking big now. We have built a very strong side that has aspirations of winning the Premier League with [Carlos] Tevez, [Emmanuel] Adebayor, [Joleon] Lescott and [Gareth] Barry."
A hairline fracture to his ankle has sidelined Robinho for the past month and he is unlikely to be back in time for Sunday's game at Wigan. "I've still not been given the all clear. The doctors have to give me the green light then it will be up to [manager Mark] Hughes whether I play."
