Sevilla forward Luis Fabiano has said that Manchester City's bid for him "can't be ruled out".

The Brazilian, 27, is currently the top scorer in Spain with 13 goals but he could be ready to quit Spain.

City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson made an £8 million bid for the striker after deals for Diego Milito, Fred, Afonso Alves, Djibril Cisse and Lukas Podolski all failed to materialise.

The Swede dispatched his scouts to track Fabiano and have seen him in five matches over the past month - and now it appears a deal is in the offing.

Fabiano has confirmed to the Brazilian media that talks are at an 'advanced stage'.

"It would be very difficult to leave Seville," said Fabiano. "But negotiations to go to England are at an advanced stage, but this is a great opportunity.

"I have never said I want to leave. I don't want to go in the middle of the season.

"It can't be ruled out because the group want to sell their part."

"I am waiting to see what Sevilla are going to do to help me. The offer from Manchester City is 12 million euros (£8 million).

"I am very comfortable in Seville, it is a club and city I like a lot but with this great opportunity I will do what I feel is appropriate."

Fabiano is under contract with Sevilla until 2011 and has a huge 60 million euro (£44million) buy-out clause.

However, the situation is complicated by fact that Sevilla actually only own 35 per cent of the player.

Fabiano's representatives and an investment group own the rest of him and reports suggest that a deal worth 14 million euros (£10million) would be enough to take 'The Magician' to England.

The player added: "This is a very good offer and the investment group decided to negotiate."

Sevilla are yet to make a comment, but coach Manolo Jimenez, sporting director Ramon Rodriguez Monchi and president Jose Maria Del Nido are set for a meeting to discuss the situation.

Teamtalk / Eurosport