Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini claims that Manchester City star Yaya Toure is eager to join him at the San Siro next season.
The 31-year-old Ivorian, who has worked under Mancini when he was the manager of City, still has two more years remaining in his current contract at the Etihad.
Although Toure's agent recently revealed that the Ivorian was looking to "finish his playing career" at City, there have been suggestions that he is open to a change in scenery if the right club makes a move for him.
And Mancini is confident that Toure will join him in Italy this summer if Inter Milan manage to make a decent bid for him.
"Yaya's played in all the top leagues apart from Germany and Italy and if he, as it seems, would like to come to Italy, then there is this possibility," Mancini told La Gazzetta dello Sport's television station.
Although the former Galatasaray boss admits that it will not be "easy" for them to land Toure, he insists that Inter Milan will be the Ivoirian's first choice if he decides to move to Italy.
"It's not going to be easy. He's a player with personality and incredible technical quality, but if he were to come to Italy, then Inter would certainly be his first choice."
Although Inter Milan are currently in danger of being handed a Financial Fair Play restriction by UEFA for overspending his season, the Italian boss is convinced that they will be able to sign some quality players in the summer.
"Let's first just see what happens with Financial Fair Play," added Mancini. "I'm convinced that we'll sign some good players who will boost the quality of the side. Yes, [I've been given carte blanche to spend], but they forgot to give me the pen."
Meanwhile, Mancini is "confident" that Inter Milan will be able to lift the Serie next season after seeing all his players "improving all the time."
"Of course we can. I'm so confident because of what we are doing. The foundations are solid. I can see the lads improving all the time; everybody's getting better. Next season, we are aiming to fight it out with Juve, Napoli and Roma."
