United and City face £30m striker fight – report

Zenit St Petersburg have vowed to fight Manchester City and Manchester United for the signature of Napoli star Ezequiel Lavezzi, according to Talksport.

Lavezzi has starred for the Serie A side since signing in 2007, and has attracted attention from numerous clubs around Europe as a result of his performances.

While United have been connected to Lavezzi in the past, City are said to be front runners to sign the striker, particularly with Carlos Tevez set to exit the club in January.


 

But now that Zenit St Petersburg are hoping to start negotiating a deal with Lavezzi, City are hoping to steal the march on both the Russian giants and United to seal a deal as quickly as possible.

Lavezzi is said to have a £30 million release clause in his contract, but with clubs the size of United, City and Petersburg involved, the figure could top that quite easily if the clubs enter a bidding war.