Mancini hopes for reunion with Brazil star at Manchester City
Published:Manchester City have surprised many by signing only one player so far this summer, but they may be set to add to that before Saturday.
With the transfer window set to slam shut on Friday, City are ready to step up their interest in Inter Milan full-back Maicon, with whom Roberto Mancini has previously worked.
31-year-old Maicon, who has won 66 caps for Brazil, has just one year remaining on his deal with Italian giants Inter, and thus would likely be available for around £5m.
And Mancini is prepared to pay that as he aims to bolster his defensive options, which currently look thin on the ground amidst Joleon Lescott and Micah Richards’ fitness worries.
Pablo Zabaleta currently stands as City’s sole option at right-back, and Mancini is keen to rectify this with a player he managed for two years in Italy.
Also appealing to the Italian boss is Maicon’s capability to operate higher up the pitch, as well as an adequacy to fill in as a central defender if absolutely necessary.
Maicon’s agent Roberto Candela has been quick to admit interest in his client meanwhile, but outlined that City are not the only club interested in securing his services.
He told reporters last week, “There is interest from Manchester City, Real Madrid and Chelsea in the player.
“There is no possibility that he goes to Milan or Juventus. He has worn the Nerazzurri shirt for six seasons and has too much respect for the fans to betray them in that manner.”
Chelsea’s recent addition of Spanish right-back Cesar Azpilicueta would seem to rule them out of the running, leaving financially mighty City in pole position to land Maicon.
His potential arrival could be seen as somewhat of a statement of intent by Mancini too, who has outlined his frustrations at a lack of transfer activity this summer.
But a wave of transfer incomings and outgoings could be set to occur almost all at once at Eastlands, as deadline day fast approaches.
Moves for Scott Sinclair and Matija Nastasic are believed to have life in them, while Stefan Savic and Nigel De Jong are believed to be close to leaving Manchester.
With these negotiations occurring in addition to any potential deal for Maicon, the Premier League champions may have a busy day on Friday.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
