Robinho reveals Barca dream

The 18-year-old Santos prospect has been hailed as one of the hottest prospects in South American football, and, despite his tender years, was a key figure in Santos' Brazilian championship success last season.

The teenager featured in this week's friendly game between Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane's all-star line-ups, and impressed many scoring twice in the game which was ultimately won 4-3 by Zidane's side.

Teams in both Italy and Spain have been credited with an interest in the attacking midfielder, but Robinho himself has now come forward to state that Barca would be his preferred destination.

"My dream is to play in Europe, and more specifically at Barcelona," Robinho told Globo Online.

However, any club wishing to snare the teenager would have to pay a massive fee as the player recently signed a contract extension at Santos.

As part of the deal, the Brazilian club inserted a release clause of some $50 million (£30 million), and are insistent they would not let him leave for any less.

Santos director of football Francisco Lopes confirmed: "It shows exactly what the club wants: to keep Robinho."