Manchester City must up their offer if they want to win the race for Palermo midfielder Javier Pastore.
City have had one offer rejected, though claims in England of an imminent £40 million bid arriving have been dismissed by Sicilian sources.
Meanwhile, Barcelona have made their interest known and had scouts in the stands last weekend in Italy to check on Pastore.
City boss Roberto Mancini regards Pastore highly, but faces a battle to convince the Barca fan to choose Eastlands ahead of the Nou Camp in January.
