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Manuel Pellegrini has added Aston Villa's England international Fabian Delph to his list of summer transfer targets at Manchester City.
Pellegrini's top priority is the Juven-tus midfielder Paul Pogba, with a bid of around pounds 80?million likely this month, but Delph is also on City's radar. Delph, 25, is now a regular at international level under Roy Hodgson and settled at Villa after signing a 41/2-year deal with the Midlands club in January.
Tim Sherwood, the Villa manager, branded the former Leeds prodigy the "best midfielder in the country" after the 3-2 win against Everton last month. City's scouting staff have also been impressed with Delph's energy and drive and Pellegrini will consider a move if his priority targets start to fall away. Delph would also appeal to City due to their determination to boost their home-grown quota.
Pogba, the former Manchester United midfielder, is Pellegrini's main focus and widely expected to leave Juventus this summer for a significant fee. City, however, are aware they will face serious competition from Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris St-Germain while a possible bid from United has also not been discounted.
Club officials denied reports emanating from Italy that an offer had been made for the 22-year-old but Pellegrini's interest is genuine and an opening bid is expected shortly. The Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling is another leading target and a pounds 30?million bid was rejected last week.
City are close to agreeing a deal with Fulham for Patrick Roberts. The England under-19 international made 20 appearances last season and could be loaned back to Craven Cottage.
Sergio Aguero, mooted as a -possible target for Real Madrid has moved to dampen suggestions he could leave by saying: "I'm enjoying these four years that I've had at City and there are still many more years to come."
