Manchester City's sale of Nigel de Jong to AC Milan is set to strengthen the links between the two clubs.

Italian agent, Giuseppe Riso, says City's new chief executive Ferran Soriano is close to Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani.

"Galliani is so good at managing relationships, especially with Soriano, that any problems regarding the deal would've been quickly solved," Riso told Calciomercato.com.

City boss Roberto Mancini also met with Milan officials in recent weeks in Italy, fueling talk of the two clubs developing a stronger relationship.