According to The Sunday Mirror, the £32.5 million
record British signing has been told to report to Eastlands within
48 hours of his country's friendly against the USA on
Tuesday.
Robinho then will have to prove his fitness and mentality to boss
Roberto Mancini, who will need to be convinced that the player is
ready for the new season if he is to be considered for a place in
the squad that travels to Tottenham for the the opening day
fixture.
City hope Robinho can find a club that will meet their £25 million
price tag, with Benfica and Besiktas both showing an interest, but
as yet being unable to stump up the required fee.
Robinho has begged City to allow him to continue at Santos, where
he has been on loan for the last seven months, a move partly
designed to help him gain his place in the Brazilian World Cup
squad.
However, Robinho now wishes to extend his stay in his homeland
after successfully helping Santos win the Copa do Brasil, but City
are not keen on another temporary deal.
If a buyer cannot be found by August 31, Robinho will then face the
task of proving himself to City and showing that he is committed to
the club.
A City insider told The Sunday Mirror, "It's crazy to
think that the most expensive player in British football might be
left out of our Premier League squad, but Robinho will have to show
that he is worthy of his place. He has been informed he won't be
allowed to go out on loan again and we are hopeful a buyer will
materialise.
"While the club is willing to take a loss on what was paid to Real
Madrid, there is a determination to recoup a significant amount of
the fee."
With the new Premier League rules being implemented, Robinho could
end up banking his £160,000 a week wages while only featuring in
cup ties.