Gigli laughs off talk of City Buffon bid
City’s new Abu Dhabi-based backers broke the British transfer record to sign Brazil playmaker Robinho from Real Madrid last Monday and it is likely more big names will follow when the transfer window re-opens in January, with Buffon one of the legion of names linked with the Eastlands club.
But Gigli insists no amount of money would prise Buffon away from the Stadio Olimpico. “It’s fantasy football,” he said. “This summer there was another case of fantasy football, to be precise the story of David Trezeguet to Barcelona. That was fantasy football, and this is the same.”
Meanwhile Robinho told Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon he would “rather be a travelling salesman” than remain at the Bernabeu, the Brazilian’s agent has revealed.
The 24-year-old had been unsettled at Madrid ever since he was linked with a swap move with Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo at the beginning of the summer.
When a deal for Ronaldo failed to materialise, Madrid made it clear they were unwilling to sell the Brazilian, although by then Robinho had his heart set on a move.
His agent Wagner Ribeiro said: “He (Calderon) said that there was no way Robinho would leave the club, that no-one would have the money for him.
“Robinho said, ‘I do not want to stay. I would rather be a travelling salesman, sell cakes in the fair, than remain at the club’. He told that to Calderon.
“From that point, after he spoke to the president and the press, everyone turned against him.’’
Ribeiro added: “He didn’t feel valued at Real Madrid anymore, he felt looked down upon. Why should Real Madrid only try hard to renew his contract after Cristiano Ronaldo said he was not going to leave United?
“Robinho’s pride was hurt and for that reason no amount of money would have made him stay.’’
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