Robinho admits to interest in Barca switch
Robinho was closely linked with Barca this summer and, although no move was forthcoming then, there has been continued speculation that the Catalan giants will try to take the former Real Madrid man back to La Liga during the January transfer window, possibly on loan.
The Brazil international, who is currently recovering from an ankle injury, only joined City just over a year ago from Madrid for a British record transfer fee of £32.5 million (€40m) but, speaking to Barcelona-based newspaper El Mundo Deportivo, the 25-year-old made no secret of his admiration for Barca or his desire to play for Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering side.
“Of course I would like to play for Barca, who wouldn’t? We could have so much fun. It would be a pleasure to play next to (Lionel) Messi, to my compatriot (Dani) Alves, Xavi, (Andres) Iniesta, (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic... with all of them. They are a great team,” Robinho was quoted as saying.
“It’s an honour that a coach like him (Guardiola) speaks highly of Robinho, and rates me as much as I read he does.”
Robinho insists he has not heard anything from Barca though, adding: “I can assure that at this time my father, who is my only representative, has not told me anything about Barca. I repeat, I don’t know anything.
“As well as that, out of respect to Manchester City who are my team, it must be the two clubs who talk about my loan or transfer and then they will tell me. It’s not correct that we talk about this hypothetical transfer or loan until there is something more concrete.
“What is clear is that I have a contract with City and, like the professional that I am, my responsibility is to them.
“I’m focused on doing the best I can at City. Now we are thinking big, we have built a very strong team which aspires to win the Premier League with (Carlos) Tevez, (Emmanuel) Adebayor, (Joleon) Lescott and (Gareth) Barry. We are aspiring to win some titles.”
Meanwhile Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has stepped up his interest in Steven Defour, sending the injured Standard Liege captain a letter reassuring him that he continues to monitor his progress.
Defour, who is under contract until 2013, was heavily linked with a move to a bigger club in the summer with Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City reportedly interested, while Everton had a £9 million (€9.8m) bid for the Belgium midfielder turned down.
Any hope of a January transfer evaporated when the Belgium midfielder broke a bone in his foot last month but Ferguson is closely following his recovery.
Ferguson’s letter, which has been released to the media, reads: “Dear Steven, I have just heard about your injury and, in the name of Manchester United, I would like to wish you a full and speedy recovery. I am sure at the moment you must be feeling awful and that you’ll have all kinds of questions.
“Steven, these are natural worries but I have to tell you that modern medicine and treatments are incredible, you have to have confidence in them.
“I’m going to follow your progress closely and I will remain in contact with your club to have news of your recovery.”
Defour was delighted to receive Ferguson’s letter but the 21-year-old was swift to point out that the Barclays Premier League club had done everything by the book and had sent it to his club to pass onto him.
“One thing I should like to highlight is that Ferguson has followed his interest officially,” Defour said. “He addressed the letter to Standard. I think the attention is great, but I do not want people think I am already at Manchester, which is no means the case.
“But if they come knocking, then I would obviously not cause problems.”
Defour, who is rated as one of the most promising players in Belgium, is targeting the match against Anderlecht on January 16 for his comeback date.
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