Vieira 'to join Mancini at City'
Vieria is a top target for Manchester City during the current transfer window
Tuesday, 05, Jan 2010 08:06
By Michael Younger.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini wants to sign Patrick Vieira and the Inter Milan midfielder is interested in making the move, according to reports.
Vieira, 33, has no shortage of admirers with Ligue 1 powerhouse Olympique Lyonnais are also believed to be courting his signature.
However, it appears Mancini is ahead in the race to land the three-time Scudetto winner after Inter coach Jose Mourinho admitted the chances of Vieira staying on are "very slim".
Vieira moved to the San Siro following a single season at Juventus and won two Serie A titles under Mancini in 2007 and 2008.
But after a shaky past three seasons in Milan the midfielder is desperate to secure a move and boost his chances of playing for France at this year's World Cup with regular first-team football.
Rumours of the influential midfielder's return to the Premier League have "surprised" his former mentor Arsene Wenger, yet the Arsenal manager believes Vieira could still be an effective force in England.
Wenger, who has also been linked with a swoop for his former captain, told the Manchester Evening News: "I will respect Patrick forever for what he has done and what he has achieved here [at Arsenal].
"But I was surprised it was Manchester City because there were more talks about other clubs, but it is a good opportunity for him.
"I believe he will still be very effective in the Premier League because he has been injury free for three or four months and that is what he needed."
Vieira was the last Arsenal captain to guide the club to silverware. He collected a hat-trick of Premier League winners' medals, as well as four FA Cups in his time in north London.