Fernandinho set for Atletico Paranaense return

Fernandinho will be leaving Manchester City at the end of the season, and the vital match between his team and Aston Villa on Sunday, in which a victory would bring yet another Premier League title to the Etihad, will be his last after nine years at the club.

In all competitions, the 36-year-old Brazilian has worn the sky-blue shirt on 382 occasions, scoring 26 goals and providing his teammates with 33 assists. Primarily a defensive midfielder, Fernandinho has performed every defensive role imaginable in the game down the years, including those of a centre-back and a fullback.

City boss Pep Guardiola has often spoken very highly of the club captain, praising his versatility as much as his overall quality. There can be no doubt that Fernandinho made a huge contribution in everything City have achieved since his arrival; four Premier League titles, six League Cup trophies, and one FA Cup as they completed the domestic treble in 2018-19.

And according to Fabrizio Romano, the 53-cap Brazil international is very close to reaching an agreement to return to Atletico Paranaense, the club where his professional career began before he joined Shakhtar Donetsk in 2005.