Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is stalling over his move for Manchester City winger Robinho.

The Daily Mail says Guardiola reportedly wants to talk to Robinho before pushing ahead with attempts to sign him from Manchester City.

Reports in Spain say a deal to take the Brazil forward to the Nou Camp in January is virtually sealed, pending the approval of Guardiola.

However, both clubs denied they were planning talks about the 25-year-old during simultaneous visits to Abu Dhabi last week.

The denials have not stopped the Catalan press from insisting that a cut-price £22.5million fee for the former Real Madrid star has been agreed. If true, it would mark a loss of about £10m on a player City signed in a British record deal 14 months ago.

El Mundo Deportivo says Guardiola now hopes to talk the move over with Robinho before giving his approval to sign a player who has been a controversial figure at City, Madrid and first club Santos.