Manchester City are ready to launch a bid for Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon.

The News of the World says City have alerted the most powerful agents in the world and told them to line up only the very best for manager Mark Hughes.

Juventus No1 Buffon is unsettled and Italian sources claim he is desperate for a new challenge.

Hughes knows he needs a top-class keeper in order to let England Under-21 star Joe Hart develop out of the spotlight.