Inter closing in on Man city star

Nigel de Jong is one step closer to leaving Manchester City for Inter as Roberto Mancini has given the Netherlands international the green light to move on.

 The Nerazzurri already secured the services of Gaby Mudingayi from Bologna earlier this summer to add some steel to their midfield, but Andrea Stramaccioni is not impressed with the Belgian.

 The Inter coach has therefore demanded the arrival of another holding midfielder, and the 2010 Champions League winners see De Jong as the perfect addition to their squad.

 De Jong joined City from Hamburg in January 2009 and quickly became an important first-team member at the Premier League side.

 However, he is no longer a certain starter under Mancini, and the Citizens are ready to cash in on the 27-year-old.

 The Dutchman's contract with the Premier League champions is due to expire in the summer of 2013, and an offer in the region of €9 million could be enough to lure him away from City.

 Inter playmaker Wesley Sneijder recently stated that De Jong would be a great signing for the Serie A giants, and the attacking midfielder has already been in touch with his compatriot to convince him that a move to Italy would be the right step.

 The Nerazzurri face stiff competition in the race for De Jong's services, though, as AC Milan are closely monitoring his situation as well.

 Even though Inter remain confident of getting their man, they have lined up Napoli's Walter Gargano as a possible alternative for De Jong, in case they miss out on the combative midfielder.

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