Croatia Under 19 captain Ante Palaversa is on the brink of signing with Manchester City.

The Daily Mail says City have opened talks over a £7million deal for 18-year-old Palaversa, the highly rated Hajduk Split midfielder.

The Croatia Under-19 captain has been on City's radar for some time as a potential long-term replacement for 33-year-old Fernandinho.

The Premier League club are expected to confirm the signing in the next few days.

Palaversa is set to remain with Hajduk until the summer and could potentially stay at his current club for one more season after that to continue his development.