Santos confirm Robinho talks

Brazilian club Santos have confirmed that they have sent representatives to England for talks with Manchester City over a loan move for Robinho. City boss Roberto Mancini had expressed his desire to keep the forward but Santos have said a six-month loan deal is likely.

Santos press officer Arnaldo Hase said two representatives have flown into London for talks with City bosses on Monday and Tuesday.

"They are in London now and I think they are conducting the negotiations now,'' hase told BBC Radio Five Live. "We are respecting Manchester's directors, they have to be respected.

"We are optimistic without being too optimistic. The negotiations began last week, there were some mails between the Manchester directors and Santos directors.

"The Manchester directors agreed to the possibility of discussing the negotiation. Our marketing directors travelled to England on Saturday and arrived on Sunday.

Hase revealed that Santos will attempt to bring Robinho in on an initial six-month loan, but admitted they would prefer a longer deal.

"City would accept a six-month loan," Hase told Reuters. "Santos want to negotiate for six months or longer, but we will be happy if the deal is closed for six months."

"Under our proposal, Santos would pay Robinho´s wages. The player already said to us he is open to earn less here than in Manchester."

"If everything works out well, Robinho could be a really cheap signing for Santos because we have a lot of partners interested in financially supporting Robinho´s return to Santos."

Regarding the length of the possible loan deal, Hase said: "The first thought of the Manchester directors, it was about six months. Of course Santos would like it to be more - one year, one year and a half if possible.''

Mancini had said he would like the Brazil international to stay after watching him score in City's 4-2 FA Cup victory over Scunthorpe.

"Hopefully in the end Robinho will stay here. In the next day the situation can change but at the moment he stays here and I am very happy for him," the City boss said.