Roberto Mancini 'wants Inter Milan Yaya Toure swoop'

Roberto Mancini has reportedly urged Inter Milan to splash out on signing Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure.

The Italian coach is thought to see the Ivorian as the solution to his team's current form, with the Nerazzurri languishing in 10th place in Serie A.

When asked about the 31-year-old, he joked that that Inter needed to loosen the purse strings.

He told Sky Sport 24: "Yaya Toure? Piero Ausilio [Inter's sporting director] - put your hand in your pocket!

"I had Yaya at Manchester City and I think he is one of the best players in the world.

"It's not easy, though, because he's at Manchester City, so it's up to him and whether he wants to come and play in Italy, after playing in the other major European leagues."

Toure was part of the Ivory Coast team that beat Ghana on penalties to lift the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations last weekend.