Arsenal Consider Shock Move for Manchester City Star - Report

Arsenal are preparing a shock move for Manchester City defender Micah Richards, according to the Mirror.

The report claims the Premier League champions are planning a major summer overhaul, which could see the England international included in the list of deadwood; presently, it is understood Maicon, Wayne Bridge, Scott ­Sinclair and Roque Santa Cruz are all set to leave the club at the end of the season.

Richards has been sidelined with an injury since October and has yet to return to action. Roberto Mancini has played Pablo Zabaleta in the right-back position this season and the Argentine international has performed impressively, making it potentially an impossible task for Richards to re-establish himself at the Etihad. And with the FIFA World Cup in Brazil next year, first team football is a must for Richards to make it to Roy Hodgson's squad.

The Gunners are likely to take advantage of the situation. Arsene Wenger needs a replacement for Frenchman Bacary Sagna, who is likely to leave the Emirates in the summer. The addition of Richards could be a win-win situation for both the north London club and the defender as it would give him more playing time and it will strengthen the Gunners' back four.

Mancini Wants City - United FA Cup Final

City have progressed to the semi final of the FA Cup after a 5-0 win over Barnsley on Saturday evening. And Mancini now wants cross-town rivals Manchester United to move to the next round as well; the ex-Lazio and Inter Milan boss wants to face Sir Alex Ferguson's men in the final. United host Chelsea (read IBTimes UK preview here) in a quarter final tie later on Sunday.

"It [a final between Manchester United and Manchester City] could be perfect because in the last two years United and City have been the best teams in England. I don't know who we will play, it could be United, Chelsea, Wigan - when you are in the semi-final or the final of the FA Cup you play against good teams," Mancini told Goal.com.