Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester City set to take on Real Madrid in race to sign Lazio star Alexander Kolarov
Transfer tussle: Man City and Real want KolarovManchester City are ready to battle Real Madrid for the £15million signing of Lazio left back Alexander Kolarov, according to reports in Italy. Eastlands boss Roberto Mancini admitted his admiration for the 24-year-old and Lazio team-mate Mauro Zarate at the weekend, but insisted there had been no contact between the two clubs. However, Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport believes that is about to change with a formal offer for the much-coveted Serbia international Kolarov, who has been earmarked by Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho as a cheaper alternative to signing Ashley Cole from Chelsea. City have also been linked with a £25m move for Borussia Dortmund striker Lucas Barrios. AC Milan are also interested in the Argentina-born Paraguay international, according to German newspaper Bild. City have strong links in the Bundesliga, having signed Vincent Kompany, Nigel de Jong and Jerome Boateng recently, while also trying to snare Wolfsburg's Edin Dzeko. Meanwhile, one man expected to clinch his exit from Eastlands is Valeri Bojinov. Parma are set to meet City officials on Tuesday to clinch a permanent deal for the 24-year-old Bulgaria striker, who spent last season on loan at the Serie A club. Manchester City offer Robinho as makeweight in deal for IbrahimovicManchester City outcast Petrov is top of Bolton's summer shopping list Sportsmail on Twitter: Follow regular updates from our team of writers Real likely to gazump Manchester City and Europe's leading lights to GansoMANCHESTER CITY FC