City Chase Ashley Young

Manchester City are plotting a move for Aston Villa winger Ashley Young as a major rebuild of the Eastlands squad is planned this summer, according to a report from The Daily Mirror.

City are reportedly set to unload Craig Bellamy, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Martin Petrov in the summer, and plan to line up with Young on one wing and Adam Johnson on the other.

Young, 24, has impressed once again for Villa this season, but might be tempted to leave, along with several other Villa stars, after another season when breaking into the top four of the Premier League has proved too much for Martin O’Neill’s squad.

City have, like neighbours Manchester United, also been linked with a move for James Milner. O’Neill has angrily refuted suggestions that the midfielder is set to leave, as he looks to retain the services of his star players ahead of likely summer upheaval.