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Mancini wants Robinho stay but Brazilian expects loan

Roberto Mancini subbed Robinho on and off in the game away at Everton © Getty Images

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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini says he wants to keep Robinho at Eastlands despite the Brazilian forward claiming he is set to leave the club.

Robinho told Brazilian radio that he was all set to return to boyhood club Santos after being told by City directors that he could leave. The former Real Madrid forward expects to depart on a loan arrangement.

However, Mancini denied any knowledge of an imminent Robinho exit and said he was keen for the player, who scored City's final goal in their 4-2 FA Cup fourth round win at Scunthorpe on Sunday, to stay.

Mancini said: "Hopefully in the end Robinho will stay here. In the next day the situation can change but at the moment he stays here and I am very happy for him."

"I think one player can stay in a squad only if he is happy - if he wants to play every game and if he wants to work every day. That is most important because the players and manager must be happy."

Earlier, Robinho had told Brazilian radio station Radio Bandeirantes: "What's important is to be happy. The directors all agree that it's better to send me out on loan. It would be exceptional to return to Santos."

Robinho then told TV Globo a deal was almost done to return to the club where he began his career and won the Campeonato Brasileiro in 2002 and 2004.

"It's all good progress. Santos are only looking at the length of contract because they want a year and City want only six months but I think it is 90% sure," Robinho said. "Santos are talking to the staff of City and I think that within three days we can define it all."

Robinho joined Manchester City from Real Madrid for £32.5 million in September 2008 but has failed to impress in the Premier League. The 25-year-old was brought on as a substitute and then subbed himself against Everton earlier on January 16.

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