Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes the club will have a fight on their hands with Europe's elite clubs in their efforts to sign Fernandinho.

The Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder has emerged as one of City's primary targets for the summer transfer window, as Mancini attempts to restructure his side after surrendering the Premier League crown to Manchester United.

After failing in efforts to sign established midfielders in Javi Martinez and Daniele de Rossi last summer, the Italian manager is keen to bring an imposing presence to his midfield, but admits it will not be easy.

Fernandinho
Manchester City will face a battle to sign Fernandinho. (Reuters)

"We can talk about Fernandinho. Fernandinho is a good player, but he plays for Shakhtar," Mancini told ESPN.

"I don't think there are a lot of good players around the world. There are also four or five top teams who want to buy good players. It could be difficult."

Shakhtar have insisted the only way the Brazilian midfielder will leave the club is if his £42.3 million release clause is met, a hefty demand even by City's lavish standards. But the Premier League club will be determined to conclude their business as quickly as possible when the transfer window opens, after leaving four of their five deals until transfer deadline day last summer.

One of those brought in last summer could already be on the verge of leaving the club. Scott Sinclair has started just three games for City following his £6.2 million move from Swansea City and has been heavily linked with a return to the Liberty Stadium.

"The situation with Sinclair is difficult because I didn't give him a lot of chances to play" Mancini said according to a BBC Sport report.

"He is very unlucky. It is my fault, not his fault. A young player like Scott who is a good player deserves to play always.

"For him, it was a really difficult year; I think it is better if he can have another solution. If he stays here, maybe everything can change, but I can understand his frustration in this moment because he didn't play a lot of games."

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