West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola has received a setback in his pursuit of Inter Milan forward Mancini.
The Brazilian has had his head turned by last-minute offers from rival European clubs offering Champions League football, says The Sun.
Hammers chief executive Scott Duxbury even flew to Italy to oversee that deal and one for Inter midfielder Luis Jimenez early this week.
He came away convinced the pair would sign.
There are only minor details in the Jimenez deal to sort out but Duxbury will not know until next week whether Mancini will be joining him at Upton Park.