Manchester City are eyeing Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll.
The Daily Star Sunday says the Newcastle hitman, 21, is seen by Roberto Mancini as a £20m alternative target to Wolfsburg's Bosnian Edin Dzeko.
A meeting between senior City personnel and sources close to Carroll is imminent.
Those discussions will determine whether City step up their interest in Carroll, whose rapid development this season has taken him into the £15million to £20m category.
Carroll, 21, was recently linked with Chelsea.
And he has been warmly discussed by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
City could also face competition from neighbours Manchester United.
The Geordie giant's age, power and potential is likely to interest United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
