Sao Paulo have moved to trump Santos for want-away Manchester City winger Robinho.

The Daily Mail says Santos have been encouraged by initial talks with the player and his club, but City have insisted they will not pay a penny of the 26-year-old's £160,000 a week salary while he is on loan elsewhere. That decision leaves Pele's old club facing a huge struggle to finance the move.

Sao Paulo could take advantage of the uncertainty by gazumping their state rivals. And while Robinho does not have the same emotional attachment to the club, the move would offer him the chance to play in the Copa Libertadores - South America's most prestigious competition.