Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fernandinho has revealed he would relish a move to Manchester City in the summer, in order to improve his chances of featuring for Brazil in the 2014 World Cup.

The 28-year-old has been strongly linked with a switch to the Etihad in recent weeks, after producing some impressive performances this season, in both the Champions League and the Ukranian domestic competitions.

Fernandinho
Reuters

Despite maintaining a good run of form in recent years, Fernandinho has managed just five senior international appearances for Brazil so far in his career. The midfielder feels this summer is the right time to move to the Premier League, so that he can improve his chances of holding down a place in the 23-man squad for next summer's showpiece.

"I believe my chances of making the World Cup squad will improve if I join City. My exposure would be better, because Brazil is biased towards the Ukrainian league. What we do here is not recognised in my country," Fernandinho told the Daily Mail.

"They all [Brazil teammates] wish me to move on. They know that the Premier League is a great championship and that Manchester City is a great club, therefore they all wish me to play there, and to participate in the division. Playing in a division, at a club that is considered among the best in the world, and if I keep performing well, that would help me to be to be taken back to the Brazilian national team," the Shakhtar star stressed.

Fernandinho also believes a transfer to the Premier League would serve his cause better than any other leagues in the world.

"There are a lot of people in England with good football knowledge. For that reason, those compliment my skills and motivate me to want to play in a championship like the Premier League," the Brazilian added.

Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu had recently stated that City have to meet Fernandinho's £42.3m release clause, if they wish to add the player to their ranks this summer.