Source: Daily_Mail
Robinho's Barca move faces collapse as Man City struggle to land Villa
Barcelona are ready to pull the plug on a move for Manchester City star Robinho.[LNB]The Spanish giants have found the deal more difficult to pull off than they expected and are seriously considering turning their attention to Valencia's David Silva as an alternative.[LNB]Barca had wanted to take 25-year-old Robinho on loan for the second half of the season with a view to completing a permanent transfer in the summer.[LNB] Back in action: Robinho has returned to the Manchester City line-up[LNB]White hot: David Silva[LNB]However, resistance from City and doubts over Robinho's recovery from an foot injury have made them think twice.[LNB]Sources in Spain said the deal was also caught up in a chain and dependent on City being able to sign David Villa from Valencia.[LNB]A move for Spain hot shot Villa would put big-spending City head-to-head with neighbours Manchester United, who have made Villa's £35million signing a priority. [LNB]City have publicly insisted their £34m record signing from RealMadrid is not for sale and are likely to want a big-name replacement ifthey were to change their minds.[LNB]Valencia have privately acceptedthey will have to sell two from Villa, Silva and Juan Mata in a bid toeat into their £450m debts.[LNB] Chase: Valencia strike David Villa (left) has many admirers[LNB]However, La Liga's fourth-place side hope to hold on to the trio till the end of the season.[LNB]Silva, 23, has previously been tracked by United and Liverpool, but Barca's biggest rival to a January move could be from rivals Real Madrid.[LNB] Confident Robinho says Man City should aim to win the Premier LeagueMan City in swine flu scare as Bellamy and Weiss are struck down by virusValencia determined to keep United target Villa in Spain until the summerUnderfire City defender Wayne Bridge vows to make critics eat their wordsMANCHESTER CITY FC
