Fabian Delph (Aston Villa)
Man City are also keen on England international Delph, whose £8m release clause appears incredibly modest, and a move for the midfielder would also helpfully bump up the club’s ‘homegrown’ quota, with Manuel Pellegrini having seen the likes of James Milner, Frank Lampard and Micah Richards leave over the summer.
Marek Hamsik (Napoli)
The £20m-rated Slovakian is a back-up option for Man City according to the Daily Star and the 27-year-old experienced something of a return to form last term, netting 13 times in all competitions. He could offer Man City a strong link between midfield and attack.