Manchester City are putting the finishing touches on a deal for Inter Milan midfielder Patrick Vieira.

The Daily Mail says Vieira is expected to join Manchester City on a six-month loan deal by the start of next week.

The former Arsenal captain has spoken with his former Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini, now the boss at Eastlands, and a deal is "99 per cent agreed".

First, the 33-year-old has been asked to stay in Italy and provide cover for injury-hit Inter, who play Chievo tomorrow and Siena on Saturday.

After that the France midfielder is expected to fly to Manchester and put pen to paper on the short-term loan, which carries the possibility of an 18-month contract to follow if everything goes well for both parties during his loan period.