City target Lyon heart Aly Cissokho

MANCHESTER CITY are closing in on £20million-rated Lyon ace Aly Cissokho.

Chief executive Gary Cook and sidekick Brian Marwood flew to France earlier this week to try and thrash out a deal.

City asked about the left-back two months ago and now hope the fact Lyon need cash to fund their own transfer plans will see them get their man.

Cissokho, 23, has a reputation as one of the most powerful and pacy full-backs in France and is in the mould of City's England defender Micah Richards.

Cissokho cost £12m from Porto two years ago after a move to AC Milan broke down when a medical showed potential spinal problems.

He has three years left on his contract and created a big impression at Old Trafford in 2009 as Porto earned a Champions League draw with Manchester United.

Eastlands boss Roberto Mancini has also looked at Everton's Leighton Baines, 26.

The Italian is determined to have two top-class stars for each position and wants competition for Serbian Aleksandar Kolarov.