Santos ‘optimistic’

Santos are “optimistic” of securing the loan signing of Manchester City’s Brazilian forward Robinho.

Robinho was a £32.5million recruit by City in the summer of 2008, but, despite flashes of his class, the former Real Madrid player has not set the Barclays Premier League alight and is known to want a return to his homeland.

City boss Roberto Mancini insists he wants the player to stay so long as he is happy, but Robinho said he was “90-per-cent” certain he will return to Santos in the current window.