Mancini’s player hunt

Thursday, 10/06/2010

It looks like a case of all-change at Manchester City as the mega-rich club gear up for next season.

Veteran midfielder Patrick Vieira has agreed a one-year contract extension and boss Roberto Mancini has released Martin Petrov, Benjani and Sylvinho.

Now City will try to step up their battle to land England midfielder James Milner from Aston Villa, having already failed with a £20m bid.

They could face opposition fro Chelsea for the all-action former Newcastle and Leeds forward – and the two Blues clubs may also be involved in a fight over Fernando Torres.

With the departure of Rafa Benitez from Liverpool both sides are aware that Torres, Anfield’s prize asset, could be prised away from Merseyside.

Meanwhile, City flop Robinho, who has been out on loan to Santos looks like he his heading for the exit door with Barcelona being a likely destination.

That could allow city to move for Barca’s Yaya Toure, brother of Kolo, or Zlatan Ibrahimovic as part of an exchange deal.

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