Manchester City are firming up their long-term interest in Ritsu Doan.

The Mirror says City want Japanese starlet Doan in January,

City have been tracking the 20-year-old midfielder for some time and have been impressed with his progress at Dutch club Groningen, who do not want to sell the £5million-rated player until next summer.

The Premier League champions know Juventus and Atletico Madrid are also keen.

City were prepared to help fund Groningen's original signing of Doan, the Eredivisie outfit confirmed last season.

"We now have everything in our own hands. We said that we really liked him and they offered to assist, but we do it on our own," technical manager Ron Jans told De Telegraaf.

"The connection with City is positive."