Agent expects Maicon stay

Maicon: Wanted

Maicon's agent believes the sought-after full-back will remain at Inter Milan next season.

Former Inter boss Jose Mourinho is keen for a reunion with the Brazilian at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Real Madrid reportedly making a final offer of €22million (£18.6m) for the player.

But this falls way short of Inter's €35million (£29.3m) price tag to secure the signature of Maicon, who is also interesting another former Inter boss Roberto Mancini at Manchester City.

While Inter's valuation is small change for the money-bags Premier League side, the player's agent Antonio Caliendo still believes the defender will remain in Italy next term.

Caliendo told calciomercato.it: "For me, probably Maicon will stay at Inter. We have had no contact with the club for a month but we have a contract with Inter.

"We don't know anything about the negotiations with Real Madrid: they are negotiating without his consent.

"I don't know if this is the way to proceed with a champion like him. Maicon only wants one thing: that they don't miss respect.

"Manchester City is the first team that has expressed interest in him. Mancini, like Mourinho, dotes on him. If all his former coaches hold him in such esteem, there is a reason.

"I repeat that, at this point, there are many chances that he remains at Inter."