The agent of Manchester City star signing Robinho admits the Brazilian was desperate to quit Real Madrid.

The 24-year-old had been unsettled at Madrid ever since he was linked with a swap move with Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo at the beginning of the summer.

When a deal for Ronaldo failed to materialise, Madrid made it clear they were unwilling to sell the Brazilian, although by then Robinho had his heart set on a move.

His agent Wagner Ribeiro told Brazilian radio station Jovem Pan: "He (Calderon) said that there was no way Robinho would leave the club, that no-one would have the money for him.

"Robinho said, 'I do not want to stay. I would rather be a travelling salesman, sell cakes in the fair, than remain at the club'. He told that to Calderon.

"From that point, after he spoke to the president and the press, everyone turned against him.

"He continued to insist that he didn't want to stay and we thought about going for article 17 [and buying out the rest of his contract]."

Ribeiro added: "He didn't feel valued at Real Madrid anymore, he felt looked down upon. Why should Real Madrid only try hard to renew his contract after Cristiano Ronaldo said he was not going to leave United?

"Robinho's pride was hurt and for that reason no amount of money would have made him stay. He said that even if they paid him double he would not renew his contract."