Manchester City Plan Summer Fire Sale - Report

Premier League champions Manchester City are set for a summer overhaul, according to the Mirror, with Argentine striker Carlos Tevez likely to be the first to leave the Etihad.

French international Samir Nasri, Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko and Englishmen Joleon Lescott and Scott Sinclair are also expected to leave. Joining them will be Serbian left-back Aleksandr Kolarov and Brazilian veteran Maicon, as manager Roberto Mancini looks to make room for new arrivals.

It is believed Tevez has decided against renewing his contract, which expires next season. He is expected to return to Argentina, where he says he wants to play for boyhood club Boca Junior. In such a case, City will probably look to recoup some portion of the £25m they paid cross-town rivals Manchester United for his services, rather than let the 28-year-old run down his contract and become a free agent.

England centre-back Joleon Lescott has been linked with a return to former club Everton, while there is no official word yet on the futures of the other players.

City are presently 10 points behind leaders United, albeit with a game in hand. The yawning gap is largely down to the efforts of United's Dutch striker Robin van Persie. The ex-Arsenal forward was a transfer target for both Manchester clubs in the summer and finally went to Old Trafford for £24m after City decided not to bid. The Etihad club's need for an overhaul was also made clear by the failure to progress past the group stages of the Champions League for a second successive season.

Mancini has been quoted as saying, back in November, his side needed new players and more depth to challenge for the Champions League and judging by their performances domestically, he might (and has) say the same thing about retaining the Premier League title. Although City have lost only twice so far this season, they have failed to convert the many chances they have created into goals, leaving them with seven draws in the league, against United's two.

It is believed the former Inter and Lazio manager has settled on Liverpool striker Luis Suarez as the man to replace Tevez and Italy international Mario Balotelli (the 22-year-old completed a £19m move to Serie A club AC Milan in January).

However, he may face competition from Bundesliga side Bayern Munich. Ex-Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola is to manage the Bavarians from next season on and the Catalan has reportedly identified the Uruguayan as a priority signing.

The player himself has insisted his loyalty remains with the Anfield club.

Finally, Mancini has voiced his hopes for the summer transfer window, following disappointing periods last summer and in January. Ex-Barcelona official Txiki Begiristain has assumed a transfer role at the Etihad, replacing Brian Marwood, with whom Mancini had several run-ins over transfer demands.

"Last year we didn't work well. It's important we start it now and we've started to talk. Now is the time we can close on good players for the summer," he said.