Manchester City Identify Lescott Replacement At Bayern Munich - Report

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is reportedly considering signing Bayern Munich centre-back Dante as a replacement for Joleon Lescott, who has been linked with a loan move away from the club.

The 30-year-old Brazilian international was a key player during Bayern's wildly successful campaign last year, helping them to Champions League, Bundesliga and DFB Cup success and has also been instrumental to manager Pep Guardiola this campaign.

According to German newspaper Bild City are keen on signing Dante this month although recent reports suggest that Pellegrini's preferred choice is Porto's Eliaquim Mangala.

The Chilean boss is looking to strengthen his defence with Joleon Lescott's future at the Etihad Stadium up in the air. The England international's contract at City is set to expire at the end of the season and he may leave the club on loan this January to boost his chances of earning a spot in the England squad ahead of next summer's World Cup.

Vincent Kompany, Martin Demichelis and Matija Nastasic have all suffered injuries in the first part of the season and Pellegrini is hopeful of adding another centre-back to the squad.

Spaniard Javi Garcia have been used as a back-up at centre half this season despite being a midfielder and Pellegrini believes that the squad needs someone to partner Kompany on a consistent basis in their hunt for silverware.

However, Bild add that a January deal for Dante is unlikely to happen as Bayern boss Guardiola considers the Brazilian international's ability to orchestrate the play from the back to be a key asset in his squad.

The Brazilian, whose contract expires in June 2016, has already played 15 Bundesliga games this season, 13 of them as a starter while Jerome Boateng and Daniel Van Buyten have been fighting for the other place to partner him.