Manchester City are reportedly planning to sign up Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola to replace Manuel Pellegrini next year in a £100m deal.
The Chilean manager is thought to be leaving Eastlands next summer when his contract expires, prompting the Citizens to draw up a shortlist of potential successors.
Top of that list is Guardiola as the Sky Blues prepare to offer the Spaniard £20m per season in a five-year deal to lure him to the Etihad, according to The Sun.
The 44-year-old's long-term future at the Allianz Arena has been called into question in recent days following comments made by club legend Stefan Effenberg.
The German claimed that the former Barcelona boss would walk away from Bavaria next year - suggestions that Guardiola then denied.
He led Barcelona to 14 major trophies - including two Champions League titles - during a hugely successful four-year stint in Catalunya, before leaving in 2012.
Guardiola replaced Jupp Heynckes in Munich a year later and led the club to two successive Bundesliga titles.
Shane Callaghan
