Throughout January, Manchester City have been linked with a stream of midfielders as Roberto Mancini searched for an evolution to the centre of his team, so often criticised for being filled with destructive players.

The coach has made a conscious effort to move away from always playing three defensive players, as the marginalisation of Nigel de Jong proves but it has always seemed as though a piece was missing. The undoubted ability - as well as difficult contractual situation - of Daniele De Rossi meant his was a name that constantly came to the fore of these discussions, the Roma man seemingly a perfect fit in every regard.

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