City set for boss deal boost

Roberto Mancini will reportedly pledge his future to Manchester City and sign a new four-year deal at the club in the next fortnight.

The Etihad boss has been linked with the Italian national job and admits he would like to take on the role at some point in his career. But Mancini has held a series of talks with City's Abu Dhabi regime and it is understood the Italian will pen a contract worth around £5million-a-year before bonuses. The former Inter Milan chief was once the highest-paid manager in the world at the San Siro on a staggering £9million-a-year, but was prepared to take a pay-cut to £3million-a-year to try his luck at City. And with the FA Cup and Premier League trophy now won over the last 12 months, City's owners want to nail down their man and back him to the hilt. Mancini has been promised substantial transfer funds and has lined up bids for Arsenal's Robin Van Persie and Tottenham's Gareth Bale. But the biggest signing this summer will be Mancini, who has told City and close aides he does not want to think about a return to his homeland for a number of years.