Fernandinho could face a club vs country dilemma this week after being earmarked for a place in Brazil’s squad for this summer’s Olympics.
The Manchester City midfielder is on the verge of signing a new one-year contract after a campaign in which he impressed both on the pitch and as a dressing room leader.
But Fernandinho has been given notice by Brazil coach Andre Jardine - the Olympics is an under-23 tournament which allows three over-age players - that he is on a stand-by list for the Games, which will take place in Tokyo from July 21 to August 7.
Taking part would wipe out most of the 36-year-old’s pre-season with City, and it is highly unlikely that the Blues will release him for international duty.
As the Olympics is not part of the Fifa calendar, there is no compulsion for clubs to release their players for the tournament, as there is for World Cup or continental association tournaments like the European Championship or Copa America.
Brazil must name their squad by next Thursday, and Jardine wants Paris St Germain stars Neymar and Marquinhos and Palmeiras goalkeeper Weverton, as his three over-age players.
PSG are expected to refuse their players permission, and Fernandinho is one of the stand-by names in a 50-strong list of players announced last week.
The midfielder is close to sealing an extra year, and if that happens City will not countenance his departure, which would rule him out for the Community Shield.
Fernandinho is believed to have left the decision to City, but the Olympics football tournament has grown in popularity in Brazil since they won the gold medal at their home Olympics in 2016, fielding a strong team that included Neymar, Marquinhos and City ace Gabriel Jesus.
The fact that the new deal appears to be ready for both parties to sign indicates that the player has already passed up the opportunity to win an international honour to add to his Copa America winner’s medal from 2019.
