Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is eyeing Corinthians midfielder Paulinho.

The Mirror says Mancini wants his Manchester City bosses to sign Brazilian star Paulinho in the transfer window.

Mancini has asked his money-men to finance a move for the midfield dynamo, who's set to play for Corninthians in the Club World Cup this week, and hopes to do a deal at around £12 million.

Corinthians may sell if the price is right, but any deal will come down to whether Mancini can winkle money from City's Arab rulers when he's been warned that he must sell before he can buy again.