Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fernandinho has talked up a potential summer move to Manchester City, Sky Sports understands.
Fernandinho, 28, is a transfer target for Manchester City ahead of the summer transfer window, according to the club’s manager Roberto Mancini.
The 28-year-old was previously linked with a January move to Manchester, but no deal materialised.
Earlier this week, Shakhtar manager Mircea Lucescu revealed City must meet the outrageous £42.5 million release clause in the Brazil international’s current contract in order to secure the player’s services.
However, according to reports, the English Premier League moneybags are only willing to spend £20 million to bring Fernandinho to the Etihad Stadium in the summer.
“I believe my chances of making the World Cup squad will improve if I join City,” said the Brazil international.
“My exposure would be better, because Brazil is biased towards the Ukrainian league.
“What we do here is not recognised in my country. Playing in a division, at a club that is considered among the best in the world would help me get back in the Brazilian national team.
“There are a lot of people in England with good football knowledge. Those complement my skills and motivate me to want to play in the Premier League.”
Frankfurt sign Johannes Flum
Eintracht Frankfurt have confirmed SC Freiburg midfielder Johannes Flum will join the club for a reported fee of £1.9 million at the end of the season, Sky Sports reports.
Flum, who had just one year remaining on his contract at the Mage Solar Stadion, has signed a three-year deal with Frankfurt.
The 25-year-old’s Freiburg team-mate Jan Rosenthal has also agreed to move to the Waldstadion in the summer.
“We are delighted to have signed Johannes Flum,” Frankfurt general manager Bruno Hubner told the club’s official website.
“He has been one of our top priorities in terms of summer transfers thus far.
“He fits completely into our current squad. He is a good player with a certain potential for the future. He will strengthen our squad.”
Flum has netted one goal in 25 league appearances, 10 starts, for SC Freiburg this season. Meanwhile, Rosenthal — a former Germany Under-21 — has bagged five goals and three assists in 22 appearances in all competitions in 2012-13.
Madrid want Casemiro
The agent of Sao Paulo midfielder Casemiro has revealed his client could make his loan move to Real Madrid permanent in the summer, according to ESPN FC.
Casemiro, 21, has failed to break into the first-team at Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho, but Los Blancos’ officials are reportedly impressed with the Brazil international.
The 21-year-old has started one La Liga match for Real Madrid and seven league matches for Real Madrid Castilla in the Spanish Segunda Division this season. He has been capped three times by the Brazilian national team since being called-up in 2011.
“It’s certain that Real Madrid will want to keep the player, but they need to reach an agreement with Sao Paulo first,” said Casemiro’s agent Joseph Lee.
However, Sao Paulo vice-president Joao Paulo de Jesus Lopes believed it was ‘premature’ to discuss any possible future transfer for Casemiro.
“It’s premature to talk about this,” Lopes aid. “They haven’t contacted us yet and there is a confidentiality clause.”
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