Manchester City's next defensive reinforcement

Roberto Mancini could be looking to his home nation of Italy for Manchester City's next defensive reinforcement, if reports today are to be believed. Roma defender Marquinhos has been linked with a move to the Etihad in the summer, and with Barcelona also said to be tracking the Brazilian, talkSPORT's Transfer Spotlight reveals all...

Name: Marcos Aoas 'Marquinhos' Correa
 

Date of birth: 14 May, 1994
 

Birthplace: Sao Paulo, Brazil
 

Position: Central defender
 

Club: Roma
 

Honours: Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A (2011), Copa Libertadores (2012)
 

International appearances: 15 (Brazil U17)

What's the latest?
 

Roma only managed to sign Marquinhos on a permanent deal in January, after a period on loan at the club, but the rumour mill is already in full force, claiming both Barcelona and Manchester City are ready to take him off their hands. The Italian press say the Rome side are not keen to sell, however.

Did you know?

 
1) Marquinhos is a Corinthians youth product, and was named in their senior squad for the first time at the start of the 2011 Brazilian season. He was recalled to the youth team in 2012 to play the Copa Sao Paulo Junior Championship, and it proved inspired, with Corinthians going on to win the tournament with the defender playing a key role.
 
2) The youngster's return to the Corinthians main squad came at the expense of legendary striker Adriano 
ahead of the 2012 Copa Libertadores. The side went on to win the tournament.
 
3) During his time in Brazil, Marquinhos wore the number 10 shirt, a number normally donned by a team's main playmaker rather than a defender.
 
4) The Brazilian joined Roma on loan in August 2012, in a complicated deal involving an initial fee of £2.5m and a clause in his contract stipulating that the Italianswould have to purchase him outright if he played more than eight games. He made his Roma debut in a 3-2 defeat against Bologna in September 2012. His first start for Roma was a happier affair however, with Roma playing out a 2-0 victory over Atalanta in October of the same year.
 
5) Roma fielded Marquinhos for the ninth time in the 2012/13 season against Torino in November, and made his deal permanent soon after, paying around £2.7m to purchase the remaining 50% of his rights. He has started 15 games for the Italians in Serie A this season.

They say
 

“All of the biggest teams in Europe have their eyes on Marquinhos. After Barcelona's interest was confirmed by the Spanish press, Manchester City are now sending clear signals from England.”