• Premier League

City beat top competition to sign Maicon

ESPN staff
September 9, 2012
Maicon © PA Photos
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The agent of new Manchester City defender Maicon has revealed a host of top clubs were chasing his signature before he agreed to move to Eastlands from Inter Milan.

Chelsea were linked with Maicon, 31, for most of the summer before they completed a deal for Marseille's Cesar Azpilicueta, while Real Madrid were thought to have been at the head of the queue before City signed the Brazil international on deadline day.

"He chose Manchester City after rather a long evaluation process," agent Roberto Calenda told Sky Sport Italia. "All the top clubs who needed someone in that role came looking for Maicon, from Real Madrid via Jose Mourinho to PSG, Chelsea and others.

"Maicon made his decision when Roberto Mancini called, as he had started his Inter adventure with this coach seven years ago.

"There were times during the season when he thought about staying, as he is very tied to the club colours, but after seven years together it was only right that this story should come to an end.

"I'd like to point out that at no point did Maicon demand to be sold, even when there were important proposals in the past. Unlike others, he never put his foot down or made life difficult. He played every Inter game with the utmost determination."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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