Spain

Barcelona Play Down Talk Of Robinho Swoop

Presence of a Barcelona delegation in Abu Dhabi has set tongues wagging...

Nov 11, 2009 7:23:48 PM

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Txiki Begiristain, Barcelona (Marca)

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By Alan McGuinness

Barcelona technical secretary Txiki Begiristain has played down speculation that the Catalan giants could be set to snap up Manchester City's Robinho.

Premier League side City are preparing for a friendly against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi on Thursday and the arrival of a delegation from the Spanish side sent the rumour mill into overdrive regarding a possible transfer.

But Begiristain has poured cold water on any such suggestions.

"We won't be meeting with City," Begiristain told the Barcelona's official web site.

"There's a prior stage missing, which is a meeting between Guardiola and me. Once the decision has been taken, we will follow the strategy for any signing.

"This meeting - between the manager and the technical secretary - hasn't taken place yet.

"So we're going to see the City match and that's all."