Manchester City are closing in on AS Roma star Daniele de Rossi. The Daily Star says City manager Roberto Mancini had been desperate to sign the Roma playmaker last summer and in the January transfer window.

But the money men at City refused to sanction the deal and De Rossi signed a new contract with the Serie A side in February, which ties him to the club until 2017.

Frustrated at a lack of signings this summer, Mancini has been pestering football director Brian Marwood to back his move for the 28-year-old. Mancini now seems to have got his way with City ready to pay just under £24m for Di Rossi.