1 Manchester City anchorman Javi Garcia

Napoli are tracking Manchester City anchorman Javi Garcia, according to sources in Italy.

Rafa Benitez, the Napoli manager, intends to sign a new central midfielder in the New Year and he is now weighing up a swoop for Spain international Garcia.

The 26-year-old, who moved to City from Benfica for £17m last year, has shown mixed form at the Etihad Stadium and looks unlikely to break up Manuel Pellegrini’s first-choice central-midfield pairing of Fernandinho and Yaya Toure.

talkSPORT told you earlier this month of Garcia’s intention to remain at City for a “long time”, but Napoli hope that the presence of a Spanish manager and several of his compatriots, including Pepe Reina and Raul Albiol, could persuade him to leave the Etihad in the near future.

Garcia, who can also play in defence, has made five Premier League starts under Pellegrini this season.