Manchester City’s interest in Sampdoria’s Pedro Obiang has not assuaged in light of growing admiration for the Spaniard from a host of top European clubs, according to the Daily Mail.

The Citizens continue to keep tabs on Obiang, 20, who is being watched by Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, along with teams in Serie A and the Primera Liga.

The player’s agent Jose Miguel Gonzalez admitted, “We know that several Italian, English and Spanish clubs are following him.”

However, Gonzalez continued by proclaiming that the decision will ultimately come from the player himself, “Pedro is a mature guy and is thinking only about Sampdoria.”

“We are excited about the interest of other clubs, there are many rumours, but we have not spoken to anyone,” he assured the Blucerchiati fans.

“It’s early to talk about the market, Pedro works with humility and wants to help the team to climb up the table. Among February and April we will see what happens,” he continued.

Obiang has thus far featured 12 times this season after his 2008 move to Sampdoria from Atletico Madrid. Although City’s interest hasn’t waned, their hopes of signing the player might have taken a slight knock, with Obiang believed to be seeking a move back to Spain.

It seems that Roberto Mancini is prepared for this scenario, with suggestions of his admiration for Corinthians midfielder Paulinho. The 24-year-old Brazil international will command a £16million transfer fee. Now that City are out of the Champions League – with potential television and accumulated prize-money no longer available – Manchini might be forced to sell before buying, with a view to appeasing UEFA when financial fairplay is assessed during the 2013/2014 season.