Football Talk - Mancini names targets - 21/01/10
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed his interest in Milan midfielder Mathieu Flamini and Fernando Gago of Real Madrid.
Flamini was linked with a loan switch to Eastlands earlier in the week but the Serie A side said they were yet to receive an official offer. The former Arsenal player has only started four Serie A matches this season and is keen to play regularly in the coming months to ensure he features in France's World Cup squad. Flamini, who can operate both in midfield and as a full-back, would bolster City's options.
Real's Argentina international midfielder, Gago, is another struggling to find regular first team action although coach Manuel Pellegrini insisted earlier this month that he did not want to see the 23-year-old leave. Mancini has brought in defensive midfielder Patrick Vieira for the remainder of the season from Inter, but the France international has yet to play due to a calf injury picked up in his final game in Italy.
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 (gives me) Flamini..."
Despite City's wealth, Mancini has been told by the club's hierarchy that money will not be made available to signed the duo. He added: "I think they are putting me to the test. I won't disappoint them."
