Robinho's proposed move to Santos could yet be scuppered after one of the youngsters involved in the deal admitted he did not want to join Manchester City.
City's 26-year-old schemer announced before the FA Cup tie with S****horpe on Sunday, a game in which he scored his first goal of the season, that he was set to join his former club in a loan deal until the end of the season.
Santos confirmed that the transfer was 98 per cent done on Tuesday, with City agreeing to have first option on promising Santos duo Neymar and Paulo Henrique.
However Henrique, who was linked with Chelsea in December, has now admitted that he has no interest in joining City.
"I don't want to play for Manchester City, " he said.
"I'd prefer to play for a big club in Europe such as Milan, Real Madrid or Barcelona."
City will hope that their financial muscle can convince the 20-year-old that his future would best be served at Eastlands, but for now the Robinho deal remains on hold.
The former Real Madrid ace has been named in City's squad for the Carling Cup semi-final second leg at Manchester United on Wednesday, with Roberto Mancini admitting that he could yet make the bench.