Barcelona deny Robinho talks
11 Nov 2009 - 16:11:19
Barcelona's technical secretary Txiki Begiristain has played down renewed speculation linking the European champions with a move to sign Manchester City forward Robinho.
The 25-year-old former Real Madrid ace is known to be keen on a return to Spain, but Begiristain has rejected reports suggesting a deal will be thrashed out in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
City are in the Middle East for a friendly against the UAE national side, while a Barca delegation are in Abu Dhabi for the draw for next month's FIFA Club World Cup.
Begiristain told his club's official website: "We won't be meeting with City.
"There's a prior stage missing, which is a meeting between (coach) Pep 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."