Vieira close to Manchester City switch

(GETTY IMAGES)

Inter Milan midfielder Patrick Vieira has all but confirmed he is on the verge of rejoining Roberto Mancini at Manchester City.

The former Arsenal captain has been strongly linked with a return to the Barclays Premier League having made just 16 appearances in all competitions for Inter all season - with most of those coming from the bench.

And he now looks even more likely to be reunited with new City boss Mancini - who signed Vieira while in charge at Inter during 2006 - as the former France skipper aims to cement his place in Les Bleus' World Cup squad.

Vieira, who also played for Juventus, has revealed it is certainly the end of his Italian adventure.

"I wanted to go to the World Cup and I need playing time," he told Canal Plus. "It's over, after a year in Turin and three and a half years in Milan.

"I have objectives and I can't achieve them by staying at Inter where I am not part of the coach's choice.

"What's important for me is to go to Manchester City, to show the coach that I am the same as I was during the period when he was at Inter.

"All this will help me get into the France team."