Mario to make way for Paulinho (Video)

One poor performance and another player linked with a big money move in January. Manchester City aren’t one club to shy away from transfer speculation and after being linked with a winter move for AS Roma stalwart Daniele De Rossi, the Citizens have now been mooted with a possible swoop for another Brazilian sensation.

Despite bringing in Jack Rodwell and Javi Garcia over the summer, manager Roberto Mancini remains unfulfilled with his current crop of centre midfielders. Brazilian international Paulinho, currently with Corinthians, has now emerged as one of the games most authoritative middle men, attracting interest from across Europe.

The Brasileiro outfit are currently in Japan on Club World Cup duty, where they will face Chelsea should both teams make it through to the final later this month. Nevertheless, City will likely have already kept a watchful eye on the 24-year-old if they were indeed interested in the midfielder.

However, with the Blues also in the country, they may also show an interest in Paulinho, having recently added compatriot Wallace to the ranks. Either way, City will have to act swiftly if they are to snare their apparent number one January target before their rivals.

And they appear to be prepared to allow Mario Balotelli depart for AC Milan, albeit on loan, in order to secure his signature. Either way, his arrival will bolster Mancini’s ranks, which appear devoid of quality this season. 

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