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Mancini explains Hargreaves move

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has revealed he was eager to sign either Roma's Daniele de Rossi or Real Madrid's Fernando Gago - but financial fair play led to the signing of Owen Hargreaves.

With expensive signings such as Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz only leaving the club on loan, City have been unable to balance the books with Sergio Aguero, Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy, Costel Pantilimon and Stefan Savic all arriving over the summer.

So despite interest in more high profile names, Mancini was forced to take a gamble on injury ravaged former Manchester United player Hargreaves.

Mancini told the Independent: "Gago is a player we liked a lot. We couldn't spend any more money also for the question of financial fair play.

"De Rossi is one of the best midfielders in the world but I don't believe he will ever leave Roma. So in midfield we signed Hargreaves, who was out of contact.''

Mancini's assistant David Platt added: "We needed a central midfield player but unfortunately in terms of players going out and bringing in transfer fees, a lot have gone out on loan, so fees haven't come in for them. You have to get creative.''