RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Santos soccer team is closer than ever to signing the return of superstar striker Robinho as the club's vice-president Odilio Rodrigues Filho left for England on Monday to try to close deal with Manchester City.

Despite the loan's uncertainty, the Santos official club store began to sell Robinho's jersey on Monday. Manchester City has already verbally consigned to the loan of the player for six months. However, Santos is attempting to negotiate a year-long loan.

Robinho expressed his desire to leave Manchester City earlier in January. The player does not have a guaranteed starting position on the field and would most likely not be activated to play every game on the schedule.

With the World Cup around the corner, Robinho wants as much attention as possible in order to earn a spot on the highly contested Brazilian national team that will travel to South Africa in June for the world's largest stage of soccer.

Robinho is confident that a deal will be worked out sometime this week.