MANCHESTER CITY are lining up an £8m bid for PSG star Blaise Matuidi despite interest from Chelsea.
The defensive midfielder, 26, is out of contract this summer and looks set to leave the French giants as a free agent.
City boss Manuel Pellegrini is keen to beef up his midfield in order to take the pressure off key duo Fernandinho and Yaya Toure, and would prefer to wrap up a transfer this week.
The Chilean recognises his side needs reinforcements if they want to leapfrog Arsenal into first, and sees Matuidi as a savvy signing.
The Citizens are light in the middle of the park, with neither Jack Rodwell or Javi Garcia impressing Pellegrini in their bit-part roles.
Matuidi fits the deep-sitting, technical role Pellegrini requires of his midfielders
James Milner has been utilised as a wide man in City's preferred 4-4-2 formation, while the in-form Gareth Barry is on loan at Everton until the end of the season.
Matuidi fits the deep-sitting, technical role Pellegrini requires of his midfielders, and City are expected to make a bid for the France international before the January window closes.
Matuidi, who has been linked with Chelsea despite the signing of Nemanja Matic from Benfica, is believed to be looking for a new challenge and would welcome the opportunity to play in England.
Jose Mourinho is looking to rebuild his midfield and is keeping tabs on Matuidi's contract situation, but the offer of an instant cash deal puts City in the driving seat.
PSG hold a keen interest in City left-back Gael Clichy, who lost his place in the first team to Aleksandar Kolarov earlier this season, and Pellegrini could be tempted to use the Frenchman as bait.
