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City still waiting on Fernando deal

Richard Jolly | ESPN FC
June 4, 2014
Fernando is a long-standing target for Manchester City © Getty Images
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Manchester City's proposed move for Porto midfielder Fernando is unlikely to be completed this week, a source told ESPN.

The 26-year-old is a long-standing target for the Premier League champions, who submitted a bid for him at the end of the January transfer window.

But although City are reportedly closing in on Fernando, they are not on the brink of finalising their first summer signing.

Fernando is likely to cost City a fee in the region of £15 million but there is no rush to recruit him because, although the Brazilian-born player has taken Portuguese citizenship, he is not in his adopted country's World Cup squad.

A central midfielder became a priority when Jack Rodwell missed much of last season with injuries, meaning manager Manuel Pellegrini only had three players - Yaya Toure, Fernandinho and Javi Garcia - who he was willing to select often there.

City are also interested in a second Porto player, French defender Eliaquim Mangala, and right-back Bacary Sagna, who is available on a free transfer when his contract at Arsenal expires.

They are also adamant that striker Sergio Aguero and Toure are not for sale.

This article originally appeared on ESPN FC

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