Brazilian striker Robinho could play his final game for Manchester City on Sunday after saying he wanted to join Santos, the club with whom he made his name.
Robinho, who joined Premier League Manchester City for £32 million in 2008, has struggled to make an impact at Eastlands and has been in and out of the side this season.
In an interview with Brazilian radio station Bandeirantes, quoted on several websites, Robinho said City's owners had told him that he was no longer part of the club's plans.
"It would be exceptional to return to Santos," Robinho, who joined City from Real Madrid, said.
"To play at Santos would help me on the way to the World Cup. It is my home, I know everybody."
Robinho was selected for City's FA Cup tie at Scunthorpe later on Sunday (1600 GMT) but, asked if that would be his last game, he confirmed that the club wanted to offload him.
"It's what they say. The entire board felt that it is better to lend me," he said.
In the same interview Robinho said that Serie A club Juventus were also interested in signing him but that he wanted to return to Santos.
