The 27-year-old was a key figure as Jose Mourinho's Inter clinched a fourth straight Serie A title last term and shone at the Confederations Cup with Brazil this month, but could be on his way out of the San Siro after demanding a pay increase.

Manchester City are the only club to have made an offer for Maicon, who has also been linked with Chelsea, but his agent believes the Spanish giants - who have spent over £170million already this summer - could move soon.

"I think that Maicon will be the cherry on the Real Madrid cake," said Antonio Caliendo. "At the moment there's nothing but I believe the situation is destined to change.

"After having bought (Karim) Benzema, now Real are focusing on (Franck) Ribery and Xabi Alonso, but then they will turn to Maicon.

"I have already said it and I repeat it - I'm expecting an offensive from them to try to buy him because he is the best in the world in his position.

"There's margin to manoeuvre with Inter.

"If the amount that will come to Inter will be the right one, everything could be finalised very soon."

Maicon is under contract with the Nerazzurri until June 2013.