Brazilian star Robinho claims he turned down the offer to join Spanish giants Barcelona and instead joined Santos on loan.

The Manchester City attacker, who is on a six-month loan with the Brazilian club, said that Barcelona were keen to purchase him but City did not want to sell him so he went for the loan option instead.

"I had an offer from Barcelona," he told Radio Globo .

"But they wanted to bring me in on a transfer and Manchester City didn't want to sell me.

"Then they wanted me on a loan deal but it wouldn't have been good to take my whole family, look for a house and be there only six months."