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Manchester City to up offer for Roma's Erik Lamela after opening bid is rejected
MANCHESTER CITY will have to go back to the drawing board after their opening gambit for Erik Lamela was rejected.
The Roma midfielder has enjoyed a fine second season since joining from River Plate in 2011 and has turned the head of the Citizens.
Roberto Mancini undertook a secret scouting trip earlier this year to watch Lamela and Marquinhos in Serie A action against Fiorentina and was impressed with what he saw.
Mancini who has been trying to firm up his wanted list early, so as not to cede ground to rivals Manchester United, will have to stump up more for the Argentinian ace.
Reports from Italy state City tabled an opening bid of £18.5m however this was rebuffed by Roma.
Lamela's stock has risen since moving to the Serie A outfit, and Sir Alex Ferguson is planning to be active in the summer window.
Lamela has helped himself to 15 goals in Serie A so far this season.
His contract runs until June 2016.