Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland is confident Robinho wants to stay at Eastlands.

Speculation has been rife in recent days that Robinho, the club's record £32.5 million signing, wants to leave for Barcelona, but City are strongly denying that he is for sale - and Ireland claims the Brazil international is happy to stay.

Asked if Robinho meets his criteria for a player committed to City, Ireland said: "Very surprisingly, yes. He really thinks deeply about the club. He seems really happy and contented, even his family seems settled and he seems to be really at home.

"I've no indication where this speculation is coming from - maybe because he's a big-name player," Ireland added in the Guardian. "No way does he seem to want to go somewhere else, definitely not."