The two clubs will go head-to-head for the Diego Novaretti’s signature.
Manchester City are currently battling it out with super-rich AS Monaco to secure the signing of Argentinian defender Diego Novaretti from Toluca, according to talkSPORT.
City’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain has already gone into advanced talks with the player and his representatives, although Monaco are still showing signs of stealing the player away from the club.
The delay in finalising the deal centres around how quickly it takes for Manuel Pellegrini to be installed as the new manager at Eastlands.
The Chilean, who is currently boss at Malaga, is expected to officially announce he is heading to City next week and he can then give his nod of approval to the transfer of Novaretti.
The 28-year-old centre-back is more-or-less an unknown entity in European football having played his entire career in Argentina and Mexico.
Novaretti started out at Belgrano in his hometown of Cordoba before moving to Toluca in 2009 and has since played 146 times for the club.
City are keen to sure up their defensive options with Kolo Toure out of contract in July and expected to make a free transfer to Liverpool.
Similarly Joleon Lescott appears to be out of favour at the Etihad Stadium and rumours are circulating that captain Vincent Kompany is a £20million target for Barcelona.
Novaretti would link up with national teammate Pablo Zabaleta at City, although the centre-back has failed to make an international appearance for Argentina as yet.
Although slightly later in his career, the form of the Argentine has finally seen him recognised by Europe’s elite and a big money move is surely just around the corner.
