City to beat United to Jovetic

Manchester City are attempting to outbid fierce rivals Manchester United for the signing of Partizan Belgrade Starlet Stevan Jovetic.

City have now thrown their hat into the ring to land Jovetic after Sven-Goran Eriksson sent his right-hand man Tord Grip to hold talks with Partizan.

Grip met with Partizan's general manager Gordan Petric last week and the Swede attended a couple of games in Serbia.

Former Dundee United star Petric admitted talks had taken place but stressed Jovetic would not be moving in January and that no deal had been agreed with any club.

"We won?t be selling Jovetic this January," Petric insisted.

"We are aware that he will go sooner or later, but we wouldn't let go of his services earlier than the end of 2008