Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is ready to bring Inter Milan midfielder Patrick Vieira back to England.

The Mail on Sunday says Mancini, is keen to renew his relationship with Vieira, whom he coached at Inter Milan to two Serie A titles.

Vieira, who will be 34 in June, is desperate to play for France at the World Cup and is still highly sought-after, having been linked with moves back to the Premier League with Tottenham and his former club, Arsenal.

But sources in Italy revealed last night that it is Mancini who is closest to clinching the Frenchman's return to England, initially in a loan deal.