Robinho '90% certain of Santos move'

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Manchester City forward Robinho believes his return to Santos is "90 per cent certain" to go through in the next few days.

The Brazil international has been unhappy to find himself on the bench in recent matches and yesterday admitted he could have played his last match for City as he seeks more playing time with the World Cup around the corner.

And Robinho, who scored in yesterday's 4-2 FA Cup win at Scunthorpe, is now even more confident that he will be going back on loan to Santos following meetings last night between his agent, City and representatives of the Brazilian club.

"It's all on the right track," he told TV Globo this morning. "Santos are looking at the duration of my loan.

"Santos want a year, but City want just six months. It's 90% certain. In two or three days it should be sealed."

Reports suggest Robinho, who joined City in a £32.5million move in 2008, is set to take a pay cut to move back to Santos, with the Barclays Premier League club also continuing to pay part of his wages.

The 25-year-old progressed through the ranks at Santos and played over 100 matches for the Brazilian outfit before leaving to join Real Madrid in 2005.

Santos president Luis Alvaro Ribeiro has also revealed that the deal struck with City could allow the Barclays Premier League outfit first refusal on talented youngsters Paulo Henrique Ganso and Neymar.

He said: "They want the first choice to buy the two boys.

"That does not bother us because we sell the players for the best offer. If City have the conditions to match the offer, they can have the players."