Manchester City are launching a £17 million bid for Schalke defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos.

The Daily Star says talks between City and the 21-year-old's club Schalke have already begun.

And sources close to the German side claim the two clubs are on the verge of reaching an agreement.

Papadopolous has been on City's radar for some time but Roberto Mancini feels the time has come for City to make their move as he prepares a spectacular squad overhaul.