City stall on Pancrate bid

Man City's prospects of signing Fabrice Pancrate from PSG appear to be receding.

City manager Stuart Pearce has identified Pancrate as a player capable of strengthening his squad, particularly following the sale of Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Pearce initially enquired about taking the winger on a season-long loan but this notion was swiftly rejected by PSG.

Since the £21 million departure of Wright-Phillips to Chelsea, Pearce now has the funds to make a permanent bid for Pancrate.

PSG value the wide man in the ‚é¼3 million (£2 million) bracket but an accord between the two clubs is still some way off.

The impasse in negotiations could see City miss out on Pancrate as Auxerre have revived their interest in the 25-year-old.

Auxerre were in contact with Pancrate earlier in the summer and are now ready to take advantage of City's failure to strike a deal with PSG.