Robinho has dropped a bombshell on Manchester City by revealing he is interested in returning to Spain to play for champions Barcelona (4/11 favourites Spain La Liga outright prices).

City manager Mark Hughes has moved to quell speculation about his £32.5m record signing in recent weeks – but the situation has moved on in light of the former Real Madrid flyer’s declaration that he would relish the chance to play for Pep Guardiola’s Treble winners.

The Brazil international also feels he has a better chance of cementing his opinion that he can become the best player in the world.

Robinho told Brazilian radio station Radio Bandeirantes: “I’m very happy about the interest that Barcelona have in me, playing in the Nou Camp it is much easier to be the best player in the world than at City.”

Robinho had hoped to return from an ankle injury on Wednesday in the Carling Cup (Man City 1/5, draw 5/1, Scunthorpe 14/1 match bets) but his comeback hopes have been shelved.

The club-record signing insisted he was not attempting to engineer a move from Eastlands – just over 12 months since arriving from the Bernabeu.

“I’m not forcing a hypothetical exit from England and neither do I have problems with my coach,” he added.

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