City amplify Maicon chase
29 August 2012 15:35
Manchester City have stepped up their efforts to sign Inter Milan's Maicon with the Italian club holding out for a 5.5-million-pound fee.
City have offered 4m for the Brazilian full-back and are still hopeful of pushing through a move before the end of the transfer window for the player, who Roberto Mancini signed when he was Inter manager.
City boss Mancini wants to sign a right-back to bolster his defence and the Premier League champions are willing to meet Maicon's demand for a 100,000-a-pound week salary.
Sources at the Etihad Stadium expect the club's pursuit of the 31-year-old to run until the final day of the transfer window on Friday, despite claims from Mancini that he is not interested in signing the player.
Maicon, who has also been linked with Chelsea and Real Madrid, was left out of Inter's squad for their Serie A opener against Pescara.
City are also in the final stages of agreeing a deal worth up to 14m for Fiorentina defender Matija Nastasic as they look to retain their Premier League title.
Mancini has frequently voiced his frustration at the lack of transfer activity this summer but the club are ready to add new players after freeing up squad space and wages by offloading fringe players.
Jack Rodwell signed from Everton earlier in the month, while Mancini also wants a central midfielder and a versatile attacker.
