Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is lining up a bid for AS Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi.

The Sun says a £30million bid in January could finally see Mancini make it third-time lucky for the midfielder.

City chief Mancini has been knocked back twice for the Roma golden boy, most recently when the 29-year-old opted to stay with his boyhood club this summer.

But he has put City on high alert following a fall-out with coach Zdenek Zeman after a 4-1 loss to Juventus, which saw De Rossi dropped for the next game against Atalanta.

And now Mancini is ready to make another attempt to land his long-term target as he has been encouraged by reports Italian De Rossi would be willing to listen.