Last Updated: Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:39
Roberto Mancini has confirmed that he would still like to take Fiorentina winger Alessio Cerci to Manchester City in the future.
The City boss was heavily linked with a summer raid for the player, who he has kept tabs on since he was playing on loan at Italian outfit Pisa from Roma over three years ago.
And, while Mancini was thwarted in his bid to entice the player to the Etihad Stadium over the close-season, he has not ruled out a future move.
He said: "I have followed him since his days at Pisa in the 2007/08 season. He was just 20 but immediately did things that were extraordinary.
"He is one of the few players who are able to win a game on their own. If I could have I would have brought him to the Premier League a year ago.
"We have tried again this summer because I thought he might make an important contribution and mix well with the players here at City.
"But we could not complete the transaction and in all honesty I must say that I understand Fiorentina."
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