AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has said that he does not see star striker Robinho leaving the club in the summer. The 28-year-old former Manchester City striker has been linked with a return to his homeland after getting frustrated with the lack of first-team opportunities at San Siro.
Even though he has been part of the AC Milan team in some of the big matches like the quarter finals of the Champions League, Robinho has stated that he would not dismiss rumours linking him with his former club Santos in the summer. It is also thought that AC Milan would be willing to sell the 28-year-old in order to keep hold of Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The 30-year-old Swede has become an integral part of the AC Milan team. He finished as the top scorer in the division last season, but failed to retain the Italian Serie A title that he helped AC Milan lift. Ibrahimovic has been linked with a reunion with former Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini, who is currently interested in taking him Manchester City. Due to the fact that a number of high profile players like Zambrotta and Nesta have announced their exit from the club this season, vice-president Adriano Galliani does not expect more high-profile departures.
“Robinho received an offer from Brazil, but he will remain at Milan and be one of the five forwards in our squad,” said Adriano Galliani in a recent interview given to ESPN. Robinho’s entry into Europe came through the form of Real Madrid back in 2005. After just three years at the Santiago Bernabeu, he left for Manchester city in 2008 for a British transfer record fee of £ 32 million. He, however, failed to settle in England and made the permanent move to AC Milan only a few seasons ago.