Bernardo Silva, the highly regarded Monaco playmaker, has flown into Manchester ahead of a proposed move to Manchester City.
The Portugal international, 22, arrived at Manchester Airport on Thursday night and is due to undergo a medical on Friday as he prepares to become Pep Guardiola's first signing in what is expected to be huge overhaul at the Etihad Stadium this summer.
The size of the fee has yet to be confirmed but Silva - who has attracted interest from a host of leading clubs - has been valued at around €60 million (£52.3 million).
Guardiola has wasted no time making an early statement of intent after a disappointing debut season in England.
Although City - who finished third in the Premier League - appear to be well stocked in Silva's position, the move will increase the competition in the attacking midfield places that already feature the likes of David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne.
Yet David Silva is now 31 and City are likely to regard his Portuguese namesake as the long-term successor to the Spaniard as the team's creative fulcrum.
Guardiola has moved swiftly to clear the decks this summer with Willy Caballero, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Pablo Zabaleta and Jesus Navas all being released while a raft of other players will be offloaded.
City's release of three full backs in one go is a reflection of the absence of planning in that position and the club seem determined not to make the same mistake going forward in the attacking midfield positions while at the same time bringing an immediate injection of quality into the team.
Guardiola has bemoaned City's wastefulness in front of goal this season and also wants more players, like David Silva, who do not lose the ball in the final third. Bernardo Silva was outstanding in Monaco's Champions League Round of 16 triumph over City and played a central role in helping to deliver the Ligue 1 title for the principality club.
City's dealing with Monaco may not stop with Silva, though, since Guardiola is also optimistic about bringing the French side's left back, Benjamin Mendy, to the Etihad. Overhauling the defence is a key priority for the Catalan, with Juventus centre half Leonardo Bonucci and Spurs right back Kyle Walker two other leading targets.
Several other English clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, have also been tracking Mendy.
Culled from www.telegraph.co.uk
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