Manchester City are eyeing Lazio strike-ace Mauro Zarate.

The Mirror says Zarate, 22, carved out an exciting reputation in England on loan at Birmingham for six months from January 2008.

And he has since been a big hit in Serie A with Lazio - scoring in the Coppa Italia final victory last term.

Zarate's success on loan from Qatar club Al Sadd to the Biancocelesti last season saw Lazio sign him permanently for about £17million.

And City's new Italian manager Roberto Mancini, a former striker himself with Lazio, is believed to be a big admirer.