Manchester City have joined the battle for Atalanta midfielder Franck Kessie.

The Sunday Express says Pep Guardiola has been tracking Ivory Coast starlet Kessie, who has scored four goals in four games for Serie A side Atalanta this season.

Kessie, 19, has already won four international caps and has also been watched by Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Guardiola had his scouts in the stands to check out Kessie when Atalanta suffered defeat at home to Palermo last week.

He sees Kessie as the ideal replacement for four-time African Footballer of the Year Yaya Toure, 33, who has been out of favour since Guardiola took over in the summer.