Fernandinho mulling Athletico Paranaense return
Jan 09, 2021
London (UK), January 9: Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho could rejoin his former club Athletico Paranaense as he weighs up offers to extend his career in Brazil and Europe, his agent said on Friday.
Fernandinho, who turns 36 in May, has six months left on his City contract and is free to negotiate with other clubs.
"We've received several good proposals from Brazilian and European clubs," the Globo news portal quoted his long-time representative Giovanni Branchini as saying.
"I think it won't be long before he knows what decision to make. Everyone knows that Fernandinho has great affection for Athletico and the board. I also have an excellent relationship with the president [Mario Celso Petraglia]. We've been in conversations, but I can't say that we've discussed figures. That hasn't happened yet."
Fernandinho, who has been capped 53 times for Brazil, began his professional career at Curitiba-based Athletico Paranaense in 2002 before joining Shakhtar Donetsk in 2005.
His performances for the Ukrainian club caught the eye of City scouts and he moved to the Premier League club in 2013 for a reported fee of 34 million British pounds (around 46 million U.S. dollars at the current exchange rate).
He has since made 329 appearances for the Citizens and forged a reputation as one of the most dependable holding midfielders in Europe.
Source: Xinhua