Manchester City Transfer News: Brazilian Completes AS Roma Switch

Manchester City have confirmed the transfer of Maicon to Serie A club AS Roma. The Brazilian right-back joins the Italian side on a permanent deal, after spending only one season at the Etihad club.

City released a statement on their website: "Everyone at Manchester City wishes Maicon good luck at his new club."

The 31-year-old joined the 2011/12 Premier League champions from Inter Milan but failed to hold down a regular first team place under former manager Roberto Mancini.

Regarded as one of the best attacking right-backs in world football, Maicon was a long-term target for Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2011 and 2012, with strong interest also from Chelsea.

However, a combination of high transfer fees and wages meant that a number of deals fell through and the Brazilian finally moved to the Etihad for a fee the Mail Online reported as £3m.

Once in England, Maicon slipped behind Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta and Englishman Micah Richards in the pecking order and had it not been for Richards' long-term injury problems, it is entirely possible Maicon may have made fewer than the 13 appearances he did.

And given his age, injury history and lack of form, new City boss Maniel Pellegrini has wasted no time in shipping him out of the club. The former Malaga boss told his club's website, before the deal with Roma was announced, "Maicon didn't come here to the pre-season and he will not be in the squad at Manchester City this year.

Alvaro Negredo Move

Meanwhile, City continue to negotiate for Spain striker Alvaro Negredo. Pellegrini is keen to add to his striker options ahead of the new season, after the club released Italian Mario Balotelli and Argentinean Carlo Tevez, leaving only the latter's compatriot, Sergio Agüero, and Bosnian international Edin Dzeko at the club.

Negredo, 27, is a former Real Madrid striker who has blossomed at Sevilla after leaving the Santiago Bernabeu. And the BBC believes a £20m deal between the two clubs is to be announced shortly.

Friendly Defeats

Finally, Pellegrini's City career has started poorly on the pitch, after back-to-back defeats to South African clubs Supersport United and Amazulu FC; they were beaten 1-2 by the latter on Thursday.

The Chilean remains undaunted though, telling the club's website he is more concerned about fitness levels and avoiding injuries than winning friendlies.

"We are just starting the season so it's not always important to win but for us it's important to give minutes to the whole squad," the former Real Madrid boss explained.

City next compete in the Barclays Asia Trophy, alongside Hong Kong club South China AA, Tottenham and Sunderland. Spurs and the Black Cats face each other in the second semi-final, while City play South China in the first. The matches are scheduled for 24 July, with the final and the third-place play-off on 27 July.