Robinho claims he rejected the chance to move to Barcelona in order to return to Santos.
The Brazilian has been in impressive form since going back to Santos on a six-month loan deal in January.
Robinho, who spent the first three seasons of his career at Santos, scored a brace on his home debut midweek to take his tally to three goals in as many games.
However, the former Real Madrid forward claims he could have moved back to Spain instead.
He told Radio Globo: ‘I had an offer from Barcelona.
‘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.
‘It's different in Santos, since here I have a house and all the rest.’
The Brazil striker joined City for a British record £32.5million in the summer of 2008 and made an instant impact, finishing as the club's leading scorer in his first season.
But this season has been a different story as, first under former boss Mark Hughes and then Roberto Mancini, Robinho spent most of his time on the bench.
