Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has suggested he will make a renewed bid for Fernando Gago in the summer.
City launched a bid for the 23-year-old shortly before the transfer deadline as Mancini sought to improve his squad.
However, City's primary target was McDonald Mariga, but he was denied a work permit for a switch to Eastlands and subsequently joined Inter Milan.
After Mariga's deal collapsed on deadline day, City then rekindled their efforts to try and sign Gago.
But they left it too late to finalise a deal, which incurred the wrath of both the player and Real, who openly criticised City's attempts.
However, that has not put off Mancini, who maintains an interest in signing the Argentine international.
"We had to decide between Gago and Mariga," reflected Mancini.
"I found the Mariga situation incredible because he has been in Europe for seven years and was then good enough to sign for a club like Inter Milan after he couldn't get a visa for us.
"We did try for Gago again but it was impossible. Probably we will look again in the summer."
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