Unconfirmed reports today have suggested that Manchester City have been linked with a move for Barcelona's midfielder Deco. It is widely expected that the former Porto play-maker will be departing the Camp Nou in the summer and a number of teams including AC Milan and Chelsea have been linked with a move for Deco.

Deco has been with Porto for nearly four seasons but has become increasingly linked with a move away from Catalunya and at 30 the Brazilian born, Portuguese international, may feel that the time is right for one more big move in his career. Furthermore under Frank Rijkaard this season Deco hasn't always been considered as an automatic first choice something that was certainly the case when he first arrived as a Champions League winner from Superliga giants Porto. Niggling injuries have also blighted Deco in recent months and a combination of these factors has resulted in Deco looking likely to be on his way in the summer.

Barcelona are believed to be prepared to allow Deco to move on despite the fact that the player has a contract that keeps him tied to the club until the summer of 2010. Although 30, Deco is still likely to attract a sizeable fee and is one of only a select band of players who has won the Champions League with two different teams (Porto 2004 and Barcelona 2006). His ability from set pieces alone would still make him an attractive proposition to most top clubs and at 5"7 he was never a player to rely too much on his physical powers so advancing years shouldn't detrimentally affect his game.

Manchester City are widely expected to pursue an aggressive transfer policy in the summer similar to their spending spree of last season when new coach Sven Goran Eriksson was given a sizeable war chest with which to transform the perennial Premiership strugglers into a team capable of challenging at the top end of the table. Initially it seemed as if Eriksson had struck gold after a flying start to the season but recently City have struggled and more or less dropped out of the race for a UEFA Cup spot as well as loosing to Sheffield United in the FA Cup.

Most pundits have felt that creating goal scoring chances has been the main area of difficulty so the arrival of Deco into a midfielder would be just the sort of creative spark that City would need for next season.

If Manchester City can sign the player it would be another indication of their burgeoning financial prowess but they may face some stiff competition from some of Europe's more established sides such as AC Milan and Chelsea. Both clubs have been heavily linked with the player, although again these rumours have been largely unfounded. Several outside factors could have a profound influence on where and whether Deco moves.

Firstly the destination of Ronaldinho, if he intends to move in the summer, may have an effect. Both Milan and Chelsea have been linked with Ronaldinho and may opt not to bid for Deco if they were successful in luring Ronaldinho instead.

Another potential factor in the Deco decision may hinge on if Jose Mourinho returns to management in the summer. Deco's career really took off under Mourinho when the pair worked together in Portugal after the former Chelsea manager spotted the talented midfielder playing for Alverca, a little known side north of Lisbon. Deco had been previously rejected by Benfica and had been released by Sao Paulo giants Corinthians prompting him to initially drop into the lower Bazilian leagues before trying his luck in Portugal. If Mourinho does return to a managerial hotseat, with Milan's being the most likely destination, Deco might prefer to link up with his old manager.

Also Deco may decide that the relative rough and tumble of the Premiership may not be for him as he is a player who tends to prosper when given some time and space, something that is usually at a premium in the English game but more common in both Serie A and La Liga.

So whilst Manchester City may look to make a move for Deco it looks unlikely at this stage that he will be headed to Eastlands in the summer. Still with the sizeable finances available to the nouveau riche side of Manchester it wouldn't be a big surprise to see Deco turning out in the Light Blue of City next season.

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