Manchester City are ready to launch a £35 million bid for Atletico Madrid star Sergio Aguero.

The News of the World says City are already in talks with the Spanish club for the youngster, who many of Europe's top coaches rate more highly than Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

It looks certain Mark Hughes will land the player in the January transfer window and thus sicken Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho.

The Italians were turned down when they offered £25m in the summer but City are now big favourites to land FIFA's Young Player of the year in 2007.

A source close to the player confirmed: "City have already offered more than the £32m they paid for Robinho.

"Madrid turned down £24m from Inter in the summer but the cash offer has gone higher and higher from City.

"And just as they couldn't hold on to Fernando Torres, Atletico know they can't resist this sort of pressure."