Chelsea and Manchester City are battling for Inter Milan fullback Douglas Maicon.

The Sun says Chelsea face competition from City and Real Madrid for the signature of Maicon.

The Blues were strongly linked with the right-back after Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti admitted the player's future was in the balance.

But Maicon's representative, Antonio Caliendo, has revealed big-spending City and Madrid have also entered the race.

Caliendo said: "Maicon is the best right-back in the world.

"Real are interested and I think Manchester City too.

"However, it is up to Moratti to decide. I would be happy if Maicon stayed at the San Siro to try and win the Champions League."

Moratti recently claimed it was only 50-50 as to whether Maicon, 27, would still be at Inter next season.

But Caliendo insists the speculation has nothing to do with his client's lifestyle.

He added: "For all I know Maicon is tied to Inter for the next four years.

"But this is football nowadays, things change very rapidly. Everybody can be sold or bought.

"He is a serious professional and not a party animal like they describe him in Spain."