City close on De Rossi swoop

TARGET ... Daniele de Rossi

The midfielder, 28, has been a long-term target of City boss Roberto Mancini, who has made no secret of his desire to capture the Italian international.

Rossi, who has spent his whole career at Roma, is out of contract in the summer and could move for a knock-down fee.

Mancini confirmed his interest in the defensive midfielder and said: "De Rossi is a champion and would be the perfect man for City."

Mancini needs cover while Yaya Toure is on international duty with the Ivory Coast.

Toure could be away for up to six weeks during the African Nations Cup, which runs until the middle of February.

However, the De Rossi deal could hinge on whether wantaway Carlos Tevez is finally sold off.

The Argentine striker has not played for City since falling out with Mancini in September and is poised to join AC Milan.

But City are unwilling to spend until the unhappy star is finally flogged off.