- Premier League
Lucescu: City not good enough for Fernandinho
Shakhtar Donetsk manager Mircea Lucescu has played down reports playmaker Fernandinho is set to join Manchester City, claiming last season's Premier League champions "are not at our level".
Fernandinho has been heavily linked with City in recent weeks after guiding Shakhtar to a fourth successive domestic league title.
Roberto Mancini is expected to make sweeping changes to his squad after failing to match rivals Manchester United this term, and Fernandinho has been widely tipped to be a top transfer target.
However, Lucescu hit back at the claims, stating the club would not be interested in allowing the Brazilian to leave the "higher" level of Shakhtar for City.
"If City want to [sign Fernandinho], the clause is €50 million [£42.3 million]," Lucescu told PRO TV.
"If our players receive offers from teams higher than Shakhtar, we do everything possible to help them. Currently, I think Manchester City are not at our level."
Fernandinho's current contract expires in 2016, after joining the Ukrainian giants from Atletico Paranaense in 2005 for £7 million.