Mancini targeted by italian side

Juventus are growing increasingly confident that they can lure Roberto Mancini away from Manchester City this summer.

The Italian is closing in on securing a first-ever Champions League spot for the big-spending Eastlands outfit.

But Mancini’s future is less clear as Juventus continue to make moves to bring him back to his homeland.

The Old Lady have failed to qualify for next season’s Champions League and manager Luigi Del Neri is expected to leave at the end of the campaign.

That would open the door to Mancini returning to Serie A, where he has already manager Fiorentina, Lazio and Inter Milan.

It is believed that Mancini’s appointment as boss could co-incide with the elevation of former fans' favourite Pavel Nedved to a sporting director role. He is currently a Juve director and member of the board.

Mancini has faced heavy pressure since taking over at ambitious City at the end of 2009.

After narrowly failing to guide the club into the top four last season, Mancini has been consistently in the spotlight as he attempts to repay the Middle East owners for their huge spending spree.

It has already been claimed that Mancini would aim to sign City striker Mario Balotelli and Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Milan if he takes over at Juve.