Maicon agent makes Blues claim

Manchester City beat off competition from Chelsea to sign Brazilian star Maicon, according to the player's agent.

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo was known to be keen on Maicon as he looked to sign a new right-back during the summer and the player's agent Roberto Calenda has confirmed the Blues were in the running to sign him. However as soon as City entered the running Calenda says there is only one club he wanted to join and the chance to link up again with Roberto Mancini was too good a chance to turn down. "He chose Manchester City after rather a long evaluation process," 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." Whether Maicon was Di Matteo's number one target remains to be seen but the Italian will no doubt be delighted with the capture of Cesar Azpilicueta who arrived instead.