Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini wants Barcelona striker Thierry Henry signed next month. El Mundo Deportivo says Mancini has concerns over losing Emmanuel Adebayor in January to the African Nations Cup and wants to replace the Togo ace with Henry.

The new City manager has already discussed the prospect with chief executive Garry Cook and chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak.

A short-term deal has been mooted, which would see Henry join City for six months with the option to carry on next season or make his much-anticipated move to the US and New York Red Bull.