Bundesliga side lead race for Manchester City outcast

Schalke are the frontrunners to sign out-of-favour Manchester City defender Matija Nastasic in January, according to reports in Germany.

The Bundesliga club want to bring the 21-year-old to the Veltins-Arena on a loan deal and exercise an option to sign the centre-back permanently at the end of the season, if he impresses.

And now, according to Bild, Royal Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo has identified the former Fiorentina star as his top transfer target.

As talkSPORT told you earlier this month, Serbian international Nastasic is unhappy at his lack of first-team football at the Etihad Stadium, having featured only once this term - in the Community Shield defeat against Arsenal.

Inter Milan and Lazio also trail the defender but reports suggest that Di Matteo's men have contacted City and the player's representatives over a move next month.

Since signing for Manchester City from the Viola in 2012, Nastasic has made 51 appearances and was a member of the club's title-winning team last season.