Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is chasing Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell.
The Daily Mail says City will begin preparations for life in the Champions League by bidding for Everton's Rodwell.
The England Under 21 midfielder had been expected to sign for Manchester United this summer but interest from Old Trafford has waned in recent months.
City, though, have been tracking Rodwell as Mancini reshapes his squad for the stiff challenges they will face next season.
Everton have repeatedly maintained that they do not want to lose their best players and Rodwell undoubted falls into that category.
But manager David Moyes will have to raise money in order to revamp his own squad and Rodwell, who only signed a five-year deal 12 months ago, would command a transfer fee in the region of £20million.
