Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed his interest
in AC Milan midfielder Mathieu Flamini and Fernando Gago of Real
Madrid.
Flamini was strongly linked with a loan switch to Eastlands
earlier in the week but the Serie A side claimed they were yet to
receive an official offer.
The former Arsenal player has slipped down the pecking order
under coach Leonardo and is keen to feature regularly in the coming
months to ensure he features in France's World Cup squad.
Although primarily a defensive midfielder, Flamini has also
been operating at right-back for the San Siro side and could be
brought in by City to bolster their backline.
Real's Argentina international midfielder Gago has found
regular action limited with the Spanish giants and has been linked
with a January switch.
Coach Manuel Pellegrini insisted earlier this month that he
did not want to see the 23-year-old move on and believes he can
make a contribution to the Santiago Bernabeu cause.
Mancini has brought in defensive midfielder Patrick Vieira
for the remainder of the season from Inter Milan, but the France
international is still to feature due to a calf injury.
The Italian believes the former Arsenal ace could return for
the second leg of their Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester
United next Wednesday, but is keen to further bolster his squad as
the Eastlands outfit chase a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Mancini told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I need players. I hope
that Vieira is fit for the return.
"Perhaps Real Madrid will give me Gago, maybe Milan (give me)
Flamini..."
Despite the vast financial resources available to City,
Vieira's arrival and the proposed moves for Flamini and Gago would
not involve a transfer fee.
Mancini, brought in to replace Mark Hughes in December, has
no problem with the approach being taken by the club's hierarchy.
He added: "I think they are putting me to the test. I won't
disappoint them."
