Football Transfer Update: Robinho may be heading to Benfica
Looking at some news from the premier League, as the transfer window continues, there are reports that the man on his way back from Brazil to Manchester City, Brazilian Robinho is being hunt down by the Portuguese club Benfica.
Robinho, who had a decent world cup, went back to Brazil to play with Santos last season on loan. The striker was believed to be a bit unsettled under Roberto Mancini and needed some time away from City to rejuvenate himself. Mancini liked what he saw in the world cup and has since asked his player to come back after the loan spell. Still the call from Mancini does ensure Robinho getting a starting berth in the team. There are number of world class strikers in the team such as the Argentinean Carlo Tevez, Emanuel Adebayour who was signed for a hefty amount from Arsenal, Craig Bellamy and Santa Cruz. Therefore, Robinho would not be too optimistic, while making his way back to Eastland. Meanwhile also considering that in the past he has not has the best of relationships with manager Roberto Mancini, things are not looking too bright for the Brazilian striker.
Robinho came to England after a big money move from Real Madrid back in 2008. He was an instant hit under Mark Hughes, as he scored a super free kick on his first match for Manchester City. The form was good in the initial stages of his career and he even managed a hat trick in his very first season. The front man has long been hailed as a man with immense talent, but it is his mental side of the game that has been hampering his progress. Robinho joined Real Madrid on a high profile transfer from Brazil and just as he did at City, made an immediate impact. Still there is this enigma about the player that seems to baffle his managers; he was believed to be unsettled at Madrid, mainly because just like city, there were number of big names at the club. The Brazilian striker found it hard to get a regular starting pace, and showed his descent to the manager and that resulted in him coming to Manchester City. The pattern though continued and he once again found himself out of favour.
In his early years, when he made a name in Brazilian football, many started to tag him as the next Pele. As it happens for many young players, the tag of a legend brings them down; same seem to be the case with Robinho.
With Benfica looking more than interested in signing the front man, and the deal looking lucrative for City, with the exchange offer of defender David Luiz. The deal may go through, as City have been on the lookout for a defender and had shown interest in the Benfica man. Chelsea however is also in the chase to sign David Luiz and can match City if it comes to cash. However, the incentive of getting Robinho in exchange may tilt the deal in favour of Manchester City.
Manchester City has put a hefty price tag on Robinho that is worth 32.5 million pounds, so Benfica would still have to pay some good amount of cash even after the exchange of David Luiz. Meanwhile City’s bid to sign Aston Villa winger James Milner looks to be breaking down, and now have started to look elsewhere. Milner had expressed his desire to leave but a turn of events has seen him reportedly change his mind. City however is do badly need him may be willing to pay 20 million pound price tag put on by villa, and then the deal may still have a chance of going through before the transfer window closes.
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