Manchester City are making a move for Barcelona striker David Villa. The Mirror says City have finally offloaded maverick striker Mario Balotelli - and set their sights on David Villa to replace him.

Balotelli will undergo a medical at AC Milan on Wednesday after City agreed to sell him for £17million, with the fee potentially rising to £19.5m depending on add-ons.

And City are set to make a last-ditch attempt to sign Barcelona's £15m-rated forward Villa, after Arsenal were forced to give up their pursuit of him.

Ex-Barca officials Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain, now City's chief executive and sporting director respectively, could use their contacts at their former club to help seal a deal.

Although Barca do not want to sell Villa, Eastlands bosses are hoping an offer of £15m could tempt them to part with the 31-year-old, who has a poor injury record.