arsentina

[Wonderwall]

How many argies and ex arsenal players can we get?

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed his interest in AC Milan midfielder Mathieu Flamini and Fernando Gago of Real Madrid.

Flamini was strongly linked with a loan switch to Eastlands earlier in the week but the Serie A side claimed they were yet to receive an official offer.

The former Arsenal player has slipped down the pecking order under coach Leonardo and is keen to feature regularly in the coming months to ensure he features in France's World Cup squad.

Although primarily a defensive midfielder, Flamini has also been operating at right-back for the San Siro side and could be brought in by City to bolster their backline.

Real's Argentina international midfielder Gagohas found regular action limited with the Spanish giants and has been linked with a January switch.

Coach Manuel Pellegrini insisted earlier this month that he did not want to see the 23-year-old move on and believes he can make a contribution to the Santiago Bernabeu cause.

Test

Mancini has brought in defensive midfielder Patrick Vieira for the remainder of the season from Inter Milan, but the France international is still to feature due to a calf injury.

The Italian believes the former Arsenal ace could return for the second leg of their Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester United next Wednesday, but is keen to further bolster his squad as the Eastlands outfit chase a top-four finish in the Premier League.

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 the vast financial resources available to City, Vieira's arrival and the proposed moves for Flamini and Gago would not involve a transfer fee.

Mancini, brought in to replace Mark Hughes in December, has no problem with the approach being taken by the club's hierarchy.

He added: "I think they are putting me to the test. I won't disappoint them."

[Mike J]

interesting article that.

out of the two id rather have flamini. proven in the prem, very good player. i do wonder if he has much money to spend. by the sounds of it he is looking for loan deals for either of them.

[Mark (Blue Army)]

To be honest it sounds a bit tongue in cheek to me about Gago and Flamini but i hope i'm wrong.

[CityFanFromRome]

Well for sure we won't get both, only one of them, and probably on loan. I'd prefer Flamini as he's Prem proven.

[Wooders]

flams for me although gago is a promising youngster

[david yearsley]

Think this is proof that there won´t be any "marquee" signings this month - we seem to have adopted a policy of pulling in top class , experienced players on loan deals this window - but come 31st/1st you just never know with the owners !

[ENIAM NAM]

He added: "I think they are putting me to the test. I won't disappoint them."

[/quote]

Very strange quote that one! Not sure what he means there?

[Ted Hughes]

He added: "I think they are putting me to the test. I won't disappoint them."

Very strange quote that one! Not sure what he means there?

It's confirmation that if he doesn't get top 4 he's out the door.

[ant london]

He added: "I think they are putting me to the test. I won't disappoint them."

Very strange quote that one! Not sure what he means there?

It's confirmation that if he doesn't get top 4 he's out the door.

sing it boys....


Siiiiiignor Mancini,
give us top 4
and if you fail us,
you're out the door

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Gago is overrated imo.

[Fidel Castro]

New tactic??

Given

Micah-Toure-Lescott

Zabba-Kompany-de Jong-Vieira-Flamini-Gago-Barry

[Wooders]

Gago is overrated imo.

he is a bit, although he is still very young for his position and you don't get over-rated by being shit if you know what I mean, he's got loads of promise but Flamini is the one we need.

[Ted Hughes]

Gago is overrated imo.

he is a bit, although he is still very young for his position and you don't get over-rated by being shit if you know what I mean, he's got loads of promise but Flamini is the one we need.

Agree with that. Never seen Gago have a particularly good game but he must have some talent. Flamini was outstanding in his last PL season.

[john@staustell]

Gago has struck the deal with Boca Juniors so 'unless City or Juve step in pdq it's too late'.

[Fidel Castro]

Gago has struck the deal with Boca Juniors so 'unless City or Juve step in pdq it's too late'.

thank fucl for that

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Gago is overrated imo.

he is a bit, although he is still very young for his position and you don't get over-rated by being shit if you know what I mean, he's got loads of promise but Flamini is the one we need.

Yeah, I'm sure he is decent talent but like you said Flamini is the one for us.

[ronk]

I haven't really made my mind up about Gago yet. He's a talent and he's had some great things said about him, but I haven't been watching Real that closely and he did drift out of a few games.

He's a different type of midfielder from anyone we have at the moment, more of a deep lying creative midfielder. I don't know how he'd do in prem with the pace of the game. It's a position where we sometimes could do with someone pulling the strings a little better, if he worked out he'd be immense, but it's a big if.

[cdncityfan]

To be honest, if we are going to aim for signing more Argentines (as Mancini has done his entire managerial career), why not start some kind of formal relationship with Boca Juniors, River Plate, Estudiantes or another of the stronger Argentine clubs? We already have one with Sporting Lisbon, so it could not hurt...and we would be getting them at a better price.