The former Inter boss was allegedly spotted having dinner with representatives from the Eastlands side in Gualdo Tadino, near his Umbrian home.

According to The Independent, Mancio is being lined up to replace Mark Hughes mid-season after a run of disastrous results.

It is not the first time he has been linked with a Premier League side and he always maintained he wanted to work in England.

The ex-Lazio Coach has even lived in London in recent months “to learn the language” and was reportedly in the running for jobs at Chelsea, Newcastle United and West Ham.

City owners Abu Dhabi United Group would like Mancini to bring “international pedigree” to the club and help attract big star names.

The Manchester outfit had targeted Champions League football when gaining huge investments in the summer, including the arrival of Robinho from Real Madrid for over £30m, but they are close to the relegation zone and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Nottingham Forest last week.

Mancio was fired by Inter in the summer and replaced by Jose Mourinho despite winning three consecutive Serie A titles.

In his time with Inter he also won two Coppa Italia trophies and two editions of the Italian Super Cup, while he was voted Coach of the Year for 2007-08 by his peers.