Portsmouth's Younes Kaboul set to be Mancini's first signing

London, Dec 24(ANI): New Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is set to bid for Portsmouth defender Younes Kaboul as his first signing for eight million pounds in the January transfer window.

Mancini desperately needs cover at the back after Joleon Lescott was ruled out until mid-February due to injury, and the cash-strapped Portsmouth are ready to devolve Kaboul.

According to reports, a switch between the rich owners of city and Pompey officials could be completed in the next few days.

"There is firm interest from Manchester City, so we shall see how it develops in the next few days," The Sun quoted a Portsmouth source as saying.

The 23-year-old joined Portsmouth in August 2008 on a four-year contract, for an undisclosed fee after snubbing interest from Aston Villa.

He has been one of the mainstays of Pompey's starting line-up this season and has even scored three goals in 20 appearances. (ANI)