Zenit preparing bid for Manchester City midfielder

Zenit St Petersburg are preparing a £12 million bid for Manchester City midfielder Javi Garcia, according to the Daily Mail.

The 27-year-old is set to open-talks with the Russian’s club manager Andre Villas Boas and City are happy to sell the midfielder.

The Manchester club are looking to trim their squad meet UEFA requirements that they select 21 senior players in the Champions League, five of which must be home grown players.

The midfielder has also been linked with Italian club Napoli but they are not prepared to match Zenit’s offer.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini is looking to sign one more player after securing the £32 million signing of Eliaquim Mangala from Porto.

Mangala join Bacary Sagna and goalkeeper Willy Caballero who have arrived at the Etihad from Arsenal and Malaga, respectively.

Garcia joined City in 2012 for £15.8 million from Benfica. He has made 48 appearances for City scoring two goals, including one on his debut in a 1-1 draw away to Stoke.