Manchester City are chasing Werder Bremen midfielder Diego.

The News of the World says City's new target Diego has his own bad-boy tag after being caught up in a string of unsavoury incidents.

The 23-year-old midfielder defied his German club Werder Bremen by insisting on playing for Brazil at the Beijing Olympics and has been in trouble for turning up late for training.

Diego is currently serving a four-match ban for allegedly attempting to strangle a Karlsruhe opponent.

And last week he had to explain himself to the Bremen board after being stopped by police for an alleged drink-driving offence.

The Brazilian, who is dating German pop singer Sarah Connor, admitted: "I had a couple of glasses of wine at dinner and was stopped by the police but I did not lose my licence as some reports claimed."

But City still want to team up Diego with his best pal Robinho in the heart of midfield.