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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini could attempt to sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic this summer as he builds a squad to compete in the Champions League.
Having secured fourth place in the Premier League after a 1-0 win over Tottenham on Tuesday night, City are already looking ahead to next season.
And with uncertainty surrounding the future of Carlos Tevez, and Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko not making much of an impact since his move from Wolfsburg in January, a striker could be a target.
Ibrahimovic is currently on loan at Serie A champions Milan from Barcelona and the Swede has said he wants to stay at the San Siro, but a City bid could change the situation.
Mancini, who won the Italian title with the 29-year-old at Inter, said in The Sun: “If Zlatan wants to come to City, I would immediately find him a place.”
There has also been speculation about Balotelli, a £24m signing from Inter last August, amid suggestions that the Italian is homesick.
But Mancini, who left the 20-year-old as an unused substitute against Tottenham, said: “He will definitely stay. Mario is an ongoing bet.
“He has shown he has all the right qualities, but needs to do more, much more, to give a sense to his talent.”
With qualification for the Champions League assured, Mancini can now turn his attention to Saturday’s FA Cup final against Stoke City on Saturday.
“Our target at the start of the season was to qualify for the Champions League and reach a big final – so we have managed to do that,” added Mancini.
“As I said when I arrived, in two or three years, Manchester City can become one of the top clubs in Europe. We have everything you need to do this.
“Now we must think of the weekend. This latest win will give us a lift for Saturday.”
