City set sights for January

Brazilian right-back, Maicon, and Italian centre back, Giorgio Chellini, are two names that head the list of Roberto Mancini’s inaugral transfer list, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Mancini believes plugging City’s leaky defence is a priority but is also thought to be seeking a creative midfielder.

Maicon, whom Mancini coached at Inter Milan, has sought to play in the Premier League for some time.

25 year-old Chiellini is reported to be disenchanted at Juventus as they continue to struggle under Ciro Ferrara, sitting nine points adrift of Internazionale in Serie A and out of the Champion’s League.

Mancini is also thought to be interested in Inter’s 19-year-old striker Mario Balotelli. However, an emphatic statement by Inter president Massimo Moratti seems to have shut the door on a move to Eastlands.

“They should not enquire about Balotelli for January because we are not selling him,” said Moratti yesterday.

[Source: Daily Telegraph]