Manchester City will let record signing Robinho go to Barcelona in the summer, but he must stay at Eastlands this season to help the club fight for Champions League qualification.
City decided to keep their £34million Brazilian when it became clear they would not be able to sign another marquee name in the January transfer window.
Hang about: Robinho is needed for the club's Champions League challenge
Instead, City's spending in the new year will be on defensive recruits with Sporting Lisbon's £18m centre-half Daniel Carrico, 21, also watched by neighbours Manchester United, on their radar.
Robinho, 25, will miss today's game at Birmingham, although he is close to returning from a stress fracture of the ankle. City need another star name to replace him, but Thierry Henry wants to go to MLS side New York Red Bulls, while Bayern Munich and France star Franck Ribery will not be available until next season.
Hughes has missed out on Ronaldinho, Kaka and Chelsea captain John Terry.
I think he will leave for sure.
Yeah
Bye Bye
next summer dun see u at Man City hor
Manchester City are ready to sell Robinho to Barcelona at the end of this season.
The Mail on Sunday says City will let record signing Robinho go to Barcelona in the summer, but he must stay at Eastlands this season to help the club fight for Champions League qualification.
City decided to keep their £34million Brazilian when it became clear they would not be able to sign another marquee name in the January transfer window.
Robinho, 25, will miss today's game at Birmingham, although he is close to returning from a stress fracture of the ankle.