City eye £50m Toure replacement

'The Guardian' reports that the 26-year-old is seen as the ideal man to compete with Fernandinho for the more withdrawn role in the City midfield, with Toure set to leave the lcub when his contract expires.

Fernandinho has been in imperious form this season, but at the age of 33, the need for another option in the middle of the park has quickly become clear.

Pep Guardiola was believed to have been impressed by the midfielder when City faced Napoli in the Champions League, with the player quickly become a clear and obvious target for the summer.

Both City and rivals Manchester United have been linked with the Brazil-born Italy international, but the aformentioned source claims that the player's agent met with Manchester City's sporting director Txiki Begiristain when Italy player Argentina at the Etihad back in March.

Napoli are expected to demand a princely sum for Jorginho, who has been a key part of the side that has run Juventus so close in the Serie A title race thie season, with the bidding expected to begin at £52.5m.