Manchester City are reportedly lining up a swoop for Atletico Mineiro's Brazilian hitman Diego Tardelli to replace unsettled star striker Robinho at Eastlands.

The pacy forward has been in clinical form in Brazil’s Campeonato this season and is currently the league's joint top goalscorer alongside former Inter Milan hitman Adriano, with 15 goals.

According to the Daily Mail, City boss Mark Hughes has been keeping tabs on the 24-year-old over the past six months and is lining up a £7million move in the January transfer window.

Hughes is likely to replace one Brazilian with another as speculation continues to link Samba star Robinho with a £33million move to Spanish and European champions Barcelona.

Hughes is less than impressed with £32.5million British transfer record signing Robinho, who has fuelled speculation over his future by declaring he would relish the chance of a move to the Nou Camp.

"So far, there have only been speculations," he told Sport. "There is nothing concrete and I haven’t received any offers.

"The only thing I can say is that Barcelona are a great team and everybody would love to play for them."

Tardelli is a product of the highly reputable Sao Paulo youth academy and impressed after breaking into the first team as an 18-year-old in 2003.

However, the striker's form dipped and he was shipped out on various loan spells at PSV Eindhoven and Real Betis before moving to Flamengo in 2008.

After failing to hit the back of the net for Mengo Mengão, Tardelli was given a chance at Mineiro where his performances have earned him several call-ups to the Brazil national squad.

City also continue to be linked with with French maverick Franck Ribery but will have to double their transfer record to sign him, with Bayern Munich holding out for an astounding £65million for the 26-year-old's services.