City want £20m Liverpool star

Manchester City are reportedly chasing Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel and are willing to spend as much as £20million to sign him.

A report from The Mirror claims Citizens manager Roberto Mancini has prioritised a new central defender for the defence of their Premier League crown and the Anfield man is emerging as his top target.

Mancini’s first target was AC Milan’s Thiago Silva, but his capture now looks an unrealistic prospect.

The Brazil international was the subject of a €46million bid from Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain, but Milan rejected the bid and effectively demonstrated they would not be selling Silva at any price.

Mancini is now looking to other options and Skrtel is high on his list, perhaps hoping the relatively new arrival of Brendan Rodgers as Liverpool manager could mean uncertainty over players’ futures be exploited.

Skrtel was one half of the best defence in the Premier League for the first half of the season and his partner, Daniel Agger, has confirmed he is interested in signing a new deal to stay on Merseyside.

The report claims City are ready to tempt Liverpool with a bid in the region of £20million.

Skrtel has just two years left to run on his contract, but has said he is willing to listen if an extension is offered.