LoveCity said:
Daily Mirror says Txiki's agenda is Paulinho.
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/manchester-city-dispatch-txiki-begiristain-1501173" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/ ... in-1501173</a>
Samba mission: City dispatch Begiristain to Brazil to seal £11m deal for Corinthians midfield dynamo Paulinho
By Alan Nixon | 21 dec 2012 22:32
Manchester City supremo Txiki Begiristain has flown to Brazil in a bid to sign Corinthians midfield dynamo Paulinho in a £11million deal.
Begiristain is in Sao Paolo in a bid to thrash out a move for the hard-running star, who is wanted by Roberto Mancini for the title push – and to make up for Yaya Toure’s absence.
Paulinho is Mancini’s top target for the role of adding more strength to his side, as revealed by Mirror Sport last week, with director of football Begiristain dispatched to close the move.
Corinthians are celebrating their Club World Cup win over Chelsea, but Paulinho, 24, has an escape clause, at a fixed price, according to insiders in the deal.
City want to thrash out an agreement quickly and process a work permit for the Brazil international, who would, ideally, join before Toure heads off to play for the Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations next month.
Mancini has been told he has to balance the books in this window, but the chance to land a leading player at a decent price would be backed, although the exit of a squad man or two could help.
There is urgency as Paulinho has other admirers, although Mancini has been on his trail for months – and the player is aware of the possible move.
