Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has joined the battle for Leeds United superkid Fabian Delph.

The Observer says Hughes believes he can use the resources of City's Arab owners to beat the big four, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool to Delph's signature.

Leeds officials have so far refused to give Hughes a price for the 19-year-old, whom they would prefer to keep until the end of the club's promotion campaign. The owner, Ken Bates, has been advised to wait until the summer before selling Delph to maximise his value when the Champions League qualifiers will require additional "homegrown" players to fill out their European squads.