The Eastlands boss has quickly identified the full-back
positions as problem areas for a side that has conceded more goals
than any other of the teams battling for a place in
Europe.
Ansaldi is rated at £6million by his Russian club and was part
of the side that shocked Barcelona at the Nou Camp by beating them
in this season's Champions League group stage.
He made his debut for Argentina in a friendly in Spain in
November and has a good chance of being named in Diego Maradona's
World Cup squad.
The former Newell's Old Boys defender, 23, has been quickly
targeted by Mancini as a left-back who can also play on the wing
and he will be expected to compete with Wayne Bridge, who has
struggled for form and fitness in recent months. The move
underlines City's aims to target squad players in this window
instead of going for superstar names like Brazilian ace
Kaka.
Mancini spoke this week of the problems he would have persuading
top players to leave clubs who are still involved in the Champions
League.
The Italian believes the current squad is in need of some fine
tuning but does not have to be overhauled if they are to make the
top four.