City line up new Vidic

Posted Thursday, August 30, 2012 by The Sun

MANCHESTER CITY were last night on the brink of a £12million deal for the ‘new Vidic.’

The champions are close to signing Fiorentina’s Serbian centre-back Matija Nastasic, 19.

And they remain in talks with Benfica over Spanish defensive midfielder Javi Garcia, valued at £25m by his club.

Nastasic left for Manchester early yesterday to try to complete a move which will see Stefan Savic moving in the opposite direction.

City boss Roberto Mancini has been impressed by the teenager, who is set to partner Nemanja Vidic in the national team this season.

Mancini has run out of patience with Montenegran Savic who joined last summer for £6m but has struggled to adapt.

Nastasic had an impressive first season for Fiorentina after making a £3m switch from Partizan Belgrade last summer.

Mancini hopes for at least one more defensive addition before the transfer window shuts tomorrow night.

That could be Garcia, 25. City know they could trigger a release clause in his contract with the Portuguese club and want to drive down the price down. Mancini has not completely ruled out a reunion with his former Inter Milan favourite Maicon.

The Brazilian full-back has been offered by Inter Milan who want to get him off their wage bill.

Spanish club Malaga — who could be paired with City in today’s Champions League draw — are favourites to land City’s Paraguayan flop Roque Santa Cruz.