Manchester City are monitoring the situation of Paris St Germain defender Mamadou Sakho who has fallen out of favour at the French club, the Daily Mail reports.

The French international has found minutes on the pitch harder to come by following the arrival of Thiago Silva, whose partnership with fellow Brazilian Alex has become the first choice centre back pairing at the Parc des Princes.

Sakho is a fans favourite having been born in the city and coming through the ranks at the club since the age of six. Despite this the 22-year-old was told he could leave in August, however he decided to stay and fight for his place in the team and has gone on to make 10 starts this season.

There has been reported interest in the powerful defender from Italians AC Milan, as well as fellow French side Lille and offers from England. Arsenal have long been keen on bringing Sakho to the Emirates but have needed to move on players first before being able to fund a deal.

Manchester City now look like they could be the club to make a move for the defender, with Joleon  Lescott's future at the Etihad looking uncertain.

City boss Roberto Mancini's decision to replace the injured Vincent Kompany with Kolo Toure rather than Lescott during Sundays derby defeat has cast further doubts over the England defenders City career.

If Lescott is to be offloaded in January, it seems that Sakho could well be lined up as his replacement.