Last Updated: Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:51
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has confirmed he may make a fresh attempt to sign Fernando Gago from Real Madrid in the summer.
City came in for criticism from Gago's agent earlier in the week after he claimed they "used" the Argentinian star and were never completely serious about signing him in the January transfer window.
However, Mancini has now insisted the midfielder, who is valued at around £25million by Real, remains on his radar and he seems set to launch a fresh move for the 23-year-old over the close season.
"Gago is a good player for Real Madrid, a fantastic player and we may move for him again in the summer," Mancini said in The Guardian.
"There is a possibility to take him then."
Meanwhile, Mancini has admitted his dismay at the collapse of the deal to sign Kenyan midfielder McDonald Mariga from Parma after he was refused a work permit.
"We wanted Mariga and for me the situation is incredible because he has played in Europe for seven years," the City boss added.
"I don't understand the decision, I don't know why the application was refused but he has gone to Internazionale now so there is no possibility of a deal."