Mancini has summer targets

Roberto Mancini admits he is already in the process of drawing up summer transfer plans at Manchester City.

Roberto Mancini has revealed his admiration for Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.

It is being suggested that City are plotting an elaborate spending spree, with it likely that there will be a number of comings and goings at the Etihad Stadium.

Mancini is said to have been left frustrated by the club's failure to land their top targets during the last two transfer windows, and he is now looking for considerable backing.

He is confident he will get that, with City having already identified those they will be setting their sights on.

Mancini said: "It's difficult in January to find really good players for us.

"Clubs don't want to sell now, but maybe they will in the summer. We need to work now, so that it is not like last year.

"Last year we didn't work well. It's important we start now. Now's the time we can close in on some good players for the summer.



"I have meetings with Txiki (Begiristain) every week and we talk about the summer.

"It will be easier to get players in the summer if we work hard, well and quickly now.

"You can't start looking at players in May because all the good ones are gone and it becomes impossible."

Mancini has been linked with a move for Suarez in the summer as he looks to bring in a replacement for Mario Balotelli.

Suarez will come up against Mancini this weekend and the City boss is a big fan of the Uruguayan forward.

"Suarez for me is a top player," Mancini said. "I like him because he is strong and he works hard.

"For me, he is one of the best in England."

Asked if he would like to sign Suarez, Mancini laughed: "Suarez? But he plays for Liverpool.

"Yeah I like his quality. He has quality and he is strong."

Suarez recently pledged his future to Liverpool saying he would stay at Anfield even if they fail to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.