Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini flew to Atletico Madrid this week in an attempt to steal a march on other clubs in the pursuit of Radamel Falcao, according to reports.

Falcao is a rumoured target for a number of top European clubs but the Spanish side's asking price is expected to be close to £42m.

The Daily Telegraph suggests that Mancini's meeting with the striker's agent, Jorge Mendes, may have put the Premier League champions in pole position for the 26-year-old's signature.

Falcao has scored 10 times in the league this season.