Real Madrid want Man City to try again for Gago

Real Madrid are keen for Manchester City to try again for Fernando Gago.

The Manchester Evening News says the Spanish giants have indicated that a deal for the 23-year-old could still happen after a move collapsed on transfer deadline day.

It follows City boss Roberto Mancini's declaration on Thursday that he still wanted Gago at Eastlands.

The Blues' attempt to sign the Argentinian defensive midfielder fell through on Monday after the deadline passed before a deal could be processed.

That frustrated City, who had finally managed to agree a £16m deal with Madrid, who had originally been holding out for £22m.

Madrid sporting director Jorge Valdano then tried to blame the deal's collapse on the Blues.

Valdano argued that the transfer ran out of time because City did not have an agreement in place with the player.

But that would have required the Blues to break FIFA rules by speaking to Gago without Madrid's permission.

Despite the dispute, Madrid are prepared to do business with City - as Gago is keen to leave the Bernabeu in the summer.