Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is exploring the prospect of landing Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao. The Manchester Evening News says Mancini delayed his usual short break in Italy during the current international break to take in Atletico Madrid's clash with Malaga nine days ago, and there are claims he was sitting alongside Jorge Mendes, who is the agent of Atletico's brilliant Colombian striker Radamel Falcao.

Falcao scored to maintain his position as joint top scorer in La Liga - alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, no less - and spark a storm of speculation that City will fight it out with Chelsea in January for his signature.