Manchester City are reportedly preparing a surprise January move for Atletico Madrid forward Mario Mandzukic.

The Croatian joined Atletico from Bayern Munich in the summer and has netted 14 goals in 22 games for the capital outfit.

Atletico are said to be unwilling to sell the 28-year-old, but according to the Daily Star, Man City will press ahead with a move early next month.

The Premier League champions were forced to deploy James Milner as a striker against Crystal Palace last weekend due to injuries to all three of their current first-choice forwards.