Robinho on brink of Milan move
Manchester City rebel Robinho is reportedly on the verge of joining Italian giants AC Milan on loan for the rest of the season. The Brazilian is set to put pen to paper before the transfer window slams shut on Tuesday.
Robinho’s Manchester City career has been hanging by a thread for almost a year now, and despite City’s acquisition of numerous top names, and their tag as genuine contenders for the Premier League crown this term, Robinho still wants a new challenge. Having been unveiled as City’s marquee signing back in 2008 – for a massive £32.5m – the former Real Madrid star was supposed to be a marker for where the club were heading following the arrival of the abundantly wealthy Abu Dhabi United Group. But the Brazilian has failed to settle and will follow fellow countryman Elano out the exit door, after showing only glimpses of their ability to the Manchester crowd.
As for Milan, it’ll be the second major signing in barely a few days, following the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Barcelona. Both signings undoubtedly signal the club’s intentions for the season ahead as they hope to knock city rivals Inter off the top following a stint of almost total domination. The attraction of a club clearly looking to get back to the top, plus the bonus of Champions League football, and Milan’s already healthy Brazilian contingent – Ronaldinho, Pato and Thiago Silva – would’ve left Robinho with almost no decision to make.
Interest in Robinho has not been in short supply this summer, as City made it clear he was for sale. An impressive month in South Africa whet the appetite of many of Europe’s biggest clubs but the player’s wages and City’s desire to recoup much of their initial outlay on the player meant a deal was always going to be difficult. Indeed it was only Turkish giants Besiktas and Fenerbahce who were reportedly given permission to speak to the player, although Robinho made it clear he had no intentions to go to either. But now it seems a deal has been struck with Milan – one which seems to suit all parties involved.
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