Rubin Kazan defender Cristian Ansaldi is to join Manchester City, reports in both Russia and England suggest.

The 23-year-old Argentinean full back was impressive during Rubin's recent Champions League campaign, which included a historic 2-1 win over Barcelona in Spain.

But while reports claim that Russian Premier League champions Rubin have accepted an offer of just over $7 million from Manchester City, there has so far been no official confirmation of the deal.

Ansaldi joined Rubin from Argentinean club Newell's Old Boys in January 2008, and has won two Russian league titles with the Kazan club. He has also earned a call up to the Argentinean national side.

MOSCOW, January 8 (RIA Novosti)