Manchester City chiefs are reportedly preparing to make funds available for two marquee midfield signings in the summer transfer window.
The Premier League champions could be set for a significant reshuffle in the middle of the park as Ilkay Gundogan runs down the final few weeks of his deal.
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that he wants to see his captain stay on, but Barcelona are believed to be on the verge of signing Gundogan on a free transfer.
The Catalan giants are also believed to be interested in prising Bernardo Silva, who Guardiola admitted last year wanted to leave the club, away from the Etihad Stadium ahead of the 2023-24 season.
While Man City are confident of pricing Barcelona out of a move for the Portuguese, Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be keeping tabs on Silva's future and would have no problem bowing to the Citizens' economic demands if Lionel Messi makes an expected departure.
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As a result, Football Insider claims that Man City boss Guardiola will be blessed with funds to bring two new top-level midfielders to the Etihad, although Jude Bellingham will not be one of them.
Following Liverpool's withdrawal in the race to sign the Borussia Dortmund starlet, Man City were seemingly leading the Premier League race to bring Bellingham back to England.
However, the 19-year-old is now reported to have chosen Real Madrid as his next destination, and Man City have resigned themselves to missing out on a deal for the much-coveted midfielder.
Furthermore, a move for West Ham United's Declan Rice is seemingly off the cards, as Arsenal are confident of winning the race to sign the England international this summer.
The Hammers are still rumoured to be holding out for a fee of at least £100m, despite Rice entering the final 18 months of his contract, which would prove more viable for Man City than Arsenal.
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However, the Gunners will try to call West Ham's bluff and drive the price down, knowing that David Moyes's side will refuse to let Rice leave for nothing in the summer of 2024.
In terms of possible midfield targets for Man City, former academy product Romeo Lavia is being linked with a swift return to the Etihad ahead of Southampton's expected relegation from the Premier League.
The 19-year-old has been a shining light in a difficult campaign for Southampton, but the Saints' relegation from the top flight could be confirmed this weekend, as they sit eight points behind Everton with three games remaining.
City are believed to have inserted a £40m buyback clause into Lavia's Southampton contract, but Guardiola's side cannot trigger the option until 2024, potentially leading to an intense scramble for his services this summer amid interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.
Guardiola's side can re-establish a four-point lead over Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table when they travel to Everton on Sunday, a couple of hours before the Gunners meet Brighton & Hove Albion.
Ben Knapton
