Manchester City are set to line up a £20million bid to rival Manchester United for the services of Inter Milan’s Maicon.

The winter transfer window bid is currently in operation to snatch the full-back from under United's noses.

Man City also hope to secure the signature of another Samba star Ramires for £25m in the next offseason if their £65m attempt to acquire Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery falls through.

Sky Blues boss Mark Hughes has reportedly £100m in his transfer kitty when the winter transfer window starts, but feels his current team is enough to meet the season's expectation.

Maicon has been viewed as a target as Hughes is eyeing a Champions League berth next year.

The Brazilian international has been hailed as one of the world's best and has started all but three of Selecao Brasileira's World Cup fixtures.

His agent, Antonio Caliendo, did declare that Man United were interested, and the claim did not slip past City, who would be more than glad to fork out £90,000-a-week for the attacking full-back.

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Ramires just moved to Benfica in the offseason for £6m.