Manchester City are planning to bring Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge back to the Etihad Stadium, according to Goal.com.

Sturridge has just a year left on his Chelsea contract and is considering his future with the European champions. The 22 year old, who missed out on a spot in England's Euro 2012 squad, had a rollercoaster season with the Blues, becoming the club's joint top scorer but failing to earn a regular place in the starting line-up.

Chelsea are presently overhauling their attacking line-up and are looking to add Brazilian striker Hulk to new signings Eden Hazard, Marko Marin and Kevin De Bruyne. Sturridge might look for a move away under the circumstances but it is unclear whether he would be open to returning to his former club.

Sturridge left the Citizens for Chelsea in 2009. However, City boss Roberto Mancini is an admirer of the player and had spoken of his disappointment the forward was sold before he took over as manager. It is now understood the Premier League champions are keen to bring the forward back with a £10mn bid.

The player earlier expressed his disappointment at missing the Euro 2012 squad.

"I feel hurt, but you know, maybe it is a blessing in disguise. It's going to spur me on to do better. It's going to drive me to want more success and to be a better footballer. I'm upset about it, but not too much," the Goal.com report quoted Sturridge as saying.

Meanwhile, Italy could make an attempt to appoint Mancini as national team coach if the Azzurri fail to put on a decent show at Euro 2012, reports the Sun. Present national team manager Cesare Prandelli has come under pressure after a series of disappointing results and the report says the City manager tops the shortlist of potential successors.

Mancini, who guided City to their first league title in 44 years last season, has only a year left on his contract with the club and is yet to agree to an extension despite holding talks with Etihad chiefs. The Premier League champions want the Italian to sign a four-year deal worth £5.5mn a year, which would make him the highest-paid manager in the league, tying with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Mancini had previously expressed interest in coaching his country in the future.

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