Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fernandinho has admitted that he would relish a summer move to Manchester City, primarily to improve his chances of playing in next summer's World Cup.
The Brazilian international has been strongly linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium in recent weeks after catching the eye with a string of impressive performances in this season's Champions League.
The 28-year-old has admitted that he feels that the time is right to switch to the Premier League in order to improve on five Brazil caps ahead of the 2014 summer showpiece.
He is quoted by the Daily Mail as saying: "They all wish me to move on [my international teammates], they know that the Premier League is a great championship and that Manchester City is a great club. Therefore they all wish me to play there, and to participate in the division.
"I believe my chances of making the World Cup squad will improve if I join City. My exposure would be better, because Brazil is biased towards the Ukrainian league. What we do here is not recognised in my country.
"Playing in the Premier division, at a club that is considered among the best in the world, and if I keep performing well, that would help me to be to be taken back to the Brazilian national team. There are a lot of people in England with good football knowledge. For that reason, those compliment my skills and motivate me to want to play in a championship like the Premier League."
Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu recently claimed that Fernandinho was "too good" to sign for City at this stage of his career.
Liam Power
