ROME: French midfield veteran Patrick Vieira is set to leave Inter Milan within days, amid reports of interest from Manchester City, coach Jose Mourinho said Tuesday.

Asked what the chances were of the 33-year-old staying on Mourinho told reporters "I think they are very slim."

Earlier, the Times newspaper had reported that City were in talks over a move for Vieira, who has also had the rule run over him by Lyon.

Vieira, who has had a shaky past three seasons at Inter Milan, is desperate to play for France at the World Cup and is looking to play regular first team football, denied him in Italy with stiff competition for starting places at Inter.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini, who coached Inter when Vieira first arrived following a year with Juventus, said Monday he was interested in taking the former Arsenal midfielder on loan till the end of the season.