Manchester City Linked to Tottenham Flop Midfielder - Report

Manchester City have been linked with a surprise move for former Tottenham midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng. The 26-year-old is presently with Italian Serie A club AC Milan but talkSPORT indicates a move back to the Premier League is likely.

Boateng joined the White Hart Lane club in 2007, moving from German club Hertha Berlin. However, the midfielder failed to impress both Martin Jol (who was coach when he arrived) and Spaniard Juande Ramos. Eventually, Harry Redknapp loaned him to Borussia Dortmund.

The Ghana international, who has also represented the German national team at youth levels, joined Milan (via Genoa) in 2010 and had an impressive 2011/12 campaign, scoring eight goals and creating four more, in 27 games.

However, his performances this season have been significantly below par and with only one year left on his contract with the San Siro club (it expires in 2014), sources in Italy believe the Rossoneri may be open to the idea of moving him on.

Boateng made the headlines in January, after an incident of racism in a friendly match Milan played with local side Pro Patria. The player walked off the pitch after being subject to taunts and racist comments, in an action that was criticised by FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

Milan are third in the Serie A this season (the final qualifying place for Champions League action next term) and trail second-placed Napoli by four points. Boateng has two goals and three assists from 25 league appearances this season, to add to a goal and an assist from seven games in the Champions League this season; he scored against Barcelona in the first knock-out round.

Marriner to Boss FA Cup Final

Meanwhile, Andre Marriner has been named as referee for the 2013 FA Cup final, to be played on 11 May at Wembley. Roberto Mancini and Manchester City will look to salvage something from a trophy-less season so far, by beating Wigan Athletic to FA Cup glory.

Marriner was in charge of the 2010 Community Shield match between Chelsea and Manchester United; the match finished 3-1 to the Old Trafford club, with Antonio Valencia, Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov scoring.

"It's a great honour to be asked to referee the 2013 FA Cup Final especially as it coincides with the 150th anniversary of The Football Association," Marriner was quoted as saying.

The 42-year-old ref will be assisted by Stephen Child, Simon Long and fourth official Anthony Taylor.