Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester City set sights on AC Milan star Andrea Pirlo
Manchester City could make Andrea Pirlo one of their top transfer targets this summer after AC Milan put contracts talks with the midfielder on hold.[LNB]City boss Roberto Mancini is a huge admirer of the 31-year-old Italy international, who snubbed a move to join forces with former San Siro boss Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea two seasons ago.[LNB]But with only 18 months left on his existing deal left to run Pirlo could be forced to consider his options.[LNB] City slicker: Manchester City are keeping tabs on AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo[LNB]The Serie A club are refusing to enter negotiations over a new contract until at least April putting Mancini and a host of rival European suitors on alert.[LNB]According to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello sport, Pirlo is currently on a ?4.3million-a-year deal which mega-rich City would have no problems improving.[LNB]Milan vice-president and principal transfer broker Adriano Galliani is understood to have held a meeting and Pirlo's agent, Tullio Tinti, earlier this week with the club keen to keep hold of the star.[LNB] In demand: Pirlo is also rated highly by both Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid[LNB]But with Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho also keen on Pirlo, the player could opt to chase one more lucrative deal abroad as he enters his twilight years.[LNB]Roma and Brescia, where Pirlo started his career, are monitoring the midfielder's current situation but a move to the Premier League after ten years at Milan could be more appealing to the 2006 World Cup winner.[LNB] Zabaleta plots double dose of misery for United as City head for Old TraffordCity star Tevez axed from Argentina's squad because of 'attitude' problem May insists he never meant to taunt City after being forced to cancel eventAll the latest Manchester City news, features and opinion [LNB] Explore more:People: Andrea Pirlo, Roberto Mancini, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti Places: Milan, Barcelona, Italy
