Speculation over an impending bid for the Blues’ club-record signing has increased since Spanish newspapers seized on a Robinho interview in which he expressed his admiration for Barca.
But manager Hughes remains determined to add to his squad rather than lose any of his top players despite the inevitable increase in gossip as the January window approaches. See the Mark Hughes press conference.
The City boss said: “There’s always speculation and noise surrounding Robi. Read the interview and the vast majority of his comments are positive ones about Man City and what’s happening here.
“He made a real impact last season and scored goals for us under difficult circumstances when the team was not playing consistently well. He was one of the few shining lights last year.
It’s been frustrating for him because of his injury and being out of the side - he’s happiest when he’s out on the training pitch with a smile on his face, and playing football
Mark Hughes
“He’s not been able to do it in recent weeks but that’s the only frustration we have sensed here. That will hopefully be resolved in the next seven to ten days and he’s back playing.”
Hughes reiterated that, while City “will not be throwing money around” in the next transfer window, he has targets for certain positions that he believes need to be reinforced.
But he emphasised: “We’re not in the process of taking outstanding players out of the team. We want to bring in outstanding players to complement the outstanding ones we already have.
“We don’t want to move Robi or anybody else out of the squad. We’re looking to build, we’re not looking to dismantle.”
