Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has suggested he will make a fresh bid for Fernando Gago in the summer.
City launched a bid for the 23-year-old shortly before the transfer deadline, but they left it too late to complete the deal and were openly criticised by real for they way they handled negotiations.
However, that has deterred Mancini, who maintains an interest in signing the Argentine international.
“We had to decide between Gago and (McDonald) Mariga,” said Mancini.
“I found the Mariga situation incredible because he has been in Europe for seven years and was then good enough to sign for a club like Inter Milan after he couldn’t get a visa for us.
“We did try for Gago again but it was impossible. Probably we will look again in the summer.”