Manchester City are closing in on AC Milan midfielder Mathieu Flamini.
Sky Sports says Flamini is set to move to Manchester City in a loan deal until the end of the season.
Roberto Mancini is to raid Italy for a second time since taking over at Eastlands, with an approach for Flamini at the top of his agenda.
Mancini already has signed former Inter veteran Patrick Vieira on a free transfer.
Manchester City are on the verge of completing a shock loan deal for former Arsenal star Mathieu Flamini as new manager Roberto Mancini steps up his recruitment drive.
Incoming: Flamini (R) is set to join Man City on loan
The French utility man has fallen out of favour at AC Milan and looks is reportedly set to return to the Barclays Premier League, almost two years after leaving the Gunners on a free contract.
Flamini, 25, was regularly deployed by Arsene Wenger as a holding midfielder but Mancini could be looking to operate him at right back where he has enjoyed his best spells at the San Siro when a spate of injuries forced him to switch to defence.
According to Sky Sports News, Flamini is at the top of Mancini's transfer agenda having already secured another ex-Arsenal star in Patrick Vieira two weeks ago.
The deal is understood to run through until the end of the season with a view to a permanent move.
Flamini, who played 102 times scoring seven goals for Arsenal, hopes to secure regular first time but his mooted arrival at Eastlands will put pressure on the likes of defensive duo Micah Richards and Pablo Zabaleta for a place in the starting XI.