Manchester City are offering Stephen Ireland a new double-your-money contract.

The Sun says several sides are lurking, with Arsenal in particular showing an interest.

Ireland signed a new deal just over 12 months ago, tying him to City until 2012.

Yet despite doubling his earnings then, to around £30,000 a week, he still lagged some way behind Micah Richards and Michael Johnson, who pick up almost twice that amount.

Now early talks have taken place to bring the midfielder's pay into line with them, after a sparkling first half of the campaign.