Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic is a £20 million January target for Manchester City.
The Sunday Mirror says City boss Mark Hughes spent close to £200million in the summer in a bid to mould his team into Champions League contenders.
But Joleon Lescott, who joined from Everton for £24m, has flattered to deceive so far and Hughes has taken note.
He is interested in Subotic, 20, although the classy defender has a five-year contract at Dortmund.
Chelsea were in the running last week but they have pulled out, leaving Hughes in the clear to land the Serbian star.