Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini steps up interest in Lazio star Aleksandar Kolarov

Serb in the City: Serbia defender Aleksandar KolarovManchester Cityare pressing aheadwith their interest inLazio left backAleksandar Kolarovafter his move to RealMadrid stalled. Sportsmail revealedlast week Lazio hadlined up Portsmouth'sNadir Belhadj asKolarov's replacementbut fully expected theSerb to follow JoseMourinho to Madrid. However, Real haveoffered £12million forthe 24-year-old wellshort of Lazio's £22mvaluation. Negotiationswere expected toresume yesterday buthis agent, ErnestoBronzetti, said a dealwould be difficult. City, as ever, are waryof being used to hikethe price but havealready offered around£15m, and the playerhas told team-mateshe is interested in Cityif his dream move toMadrid cannot besalvaged. Roberto Mancini is abig fan of the tall,powerful Kolarov, whocan also play midfield. The City manager ispiecing his new sidetogether, with deals forYaya Toure and DavidSilva expected to beratified this week andJames Milner to follow. Mancini has also notgiven up on Wolfsburgstriker Edin Dzeko.Portsmouth officialswere in Rome a joint £8m deal. Lazio close in on £8m deal for Pompey pair Belhadj and Prince-BoatengWest Ham start fight for Arsenal target Remy as Nice reject £10m offerBirmingham turn attention to Wallace after Fulham reject Konchesky bidFulham and Blackpool on alert as Simpson is told he can leave Arsenal  

Source: Daily_Mail