Controcampo says it was on Mancini's recommendation that Inter are now wrapping up a £5 million deal for Genoa winger Abdoulay Konko, who will sign a five-year contract worth £900,000-a-year - or over four times what he is currently on.

Along with Konko, Inter will also soon open talks with Udinese for midfielder Christian Obodo, another of Mancini's favourites.