Not surprised at all if this is true, Mancini loves this guy and he'd be an affordable player now.
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Manchester City and Roma are locked in a battle to sign Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago.
City are long-term admirers of the all-action Argentina international and manager Roberto Mancini tried to sign him in January 2010 but the two sides were unable to agree a fee.
Then, Real wanted over £20m for the 25-year-old but his value has since plummeted, having started just 15 games in two seasons for the La Liga giants.
Sources in Spain have suggested that Real will now be willing to sell Gago for around £8.5m but City are hoping to snap him up for half of that figure.
However, they will have to hold off the attentions of Roma, who are also planning a swoop for the defensive midfielder before the window shuts on August 31.
The Serie A side have already had a loan bid rejected by Real and are understood to be considering a cash offer for Gago.
City are ready to negotiate up until the transfer deadline in order to drive down the price for the Argentina international – although it has been suggested that he would rather live in Rome than Manchester.