New Zenit boss Roberto Mancini lines up reunion with Mario Balotelli to kick-start summer transfers
Italian boss worked with the maverick striker at Inter Milan and Manchester City
NEW Zenit St Petersburg boss Roberto Mancini wants to reunite with striker Mario Balotelli.
The Italian manager has already drafted up a shortlist of transfer targets despite being appointed just two days ago.
And he wants the maverick striker to lead the line for the Russian side after rejuvenating his career at Nice.
Balotelli, who is out of contract at the end of the month, scored 15 times in 20 league starts for the French club last season.
Mancini and Balotelli initially worked together at Inter Milan before the 52-year-old signed the forward during his time at Manchester City.
Balotelli scored 13 times for City under Mancini when they won the title in dramatic fashion.
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But Mancini is set to face competition from a string of clubs across Europe including Turkish side Antalyaspor and Las Palmas.
According to , Mancini also wants Lazio's Keita Balde, Manolo Gabbiadini and is plotting an audacious move for Andrea Belotti.
Mancini penned a three-year deal with Zenit having been out of work since leaving Inter 10 months ago.
He is expected to pocket around £4.5million per year.