Edin Dzeko
Edin Dzeko Reuters

Inter Milan are preparing a £15m bid for Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, according to The Mirror.

Since Alvaro Negredo's arrival in the summer, the Bosnian international has found himself down the pecking order behind the Spaniard and Sergio Aguero. The 27-year-old has been unable to land a guaranteed starting position at the Etihad this season, making just 13 league starts.

Inter think they may be able to sign Dzeko as his contract runs out in 2015, and it is believed City boss Manuel Pellegrini would be willing to allow the Bosnian ace to leave Manchester in the summer - even though he opted to keep him at the Etihad to strengthen the club's chances of winning the quadruple.

If the offer is not accepted by the Capital One Cup winners then the Italian giants will turn their focus to Bayern Munich Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic as a back-up option. Meanwhile, Arsenal are watching developments on both strikers.

Dzeko, who joined City from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg in a deal worth £27 million in January 2011, is also viewed as a potential replacement for Borussia Dortmund star Robert Lewandowski, who will leave for Bayern Munich this summer.

Spanish side Valencia are also said to be interested in the striker, who has scored 37 goals in 94 games during his three-year spell at City.