Wayne Bridge's future is in doubt over the arrival at Manchester City of Lazio left-back Aleksandar Kolarov.
The Guardian says Kolarov is an attacking left-back renowned for his powerful shooting and ability from set pieces - his style has seen him being labelled as the Serbian Roberto Carlos - and he has been identified to take over from Bridge in a new-look defence also featuring Jerome Boateng, the £10.5m recruit from Hamburg.
Bridge has not convinced the City manager, Roberto Mancini, that he is good enough for a team that aspires to challenge for the Premier League title in the coming season and the former England international can expect to start on the bench if the 24-year-old Kolarov agrees to become the club's fourth signing of the summer.
Javi Garrido is now set to drop further down the pecking order at City.
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