Manchester City want to buy British this summer as they struggle to keep hold of their homegrown stars.
The club are identifying summer targets to satisfy Premier League rules on homegrown players, with Southampton full back Luke Shaw, Everton midfielder Ross Barkley and Nottingham Forest defender Jamaal Lascelles in their sights.
City nominated nine homegrown players in their squad at the start of the season but face losing several of them this summer.
VIDEO: Scroll down to watch Roberto Martinez on Ross Barkley's ability
Midfielder: Ross Barkley
Midfielder: Ross Barkley
Full-back: Luke Shaw
Full-back: Luke Shaw
Defender: Jamaal Lascelles
Defender: Jamaal Lascelles
Wonderkid: Ross Barkley (L) has been earning rave reviews for Everton, including this goal against Newcastle
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Wonderkid: Ross Barkley (L) has been earning rave reviews for Everton, including this goal against Newcastle
Luke who's talking: Southampton defender Shaw has also been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea
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Luke who's talking: Southampton defender Shaw has also been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea
Best defence: Nottingham Forest's Jamaal Lascelles could be needed to replace departing homegrown players
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Best defence: Nottingham Forest's Jamaal Lascelles could be needed to replace departing homegrown players
Central defender Joleon Lescott will leave when his contract expires. Likewise, Micah Richards is not prepared to sign a new, five-year deal.
Richards has struggled for games under Manuel Pellegrini, yet the club are keen to keep him and Sportsmail understands the right back has been offered an increase on his £80,000-a-week deal to stay.
Martinez: Not many players can score a goal like Ross Barkley
Feeling unwanted: City defender Joleon Lescott (R) is expected to leave at the end of the season
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Feeling unwanted: City defender Joleon Lescott (R) is expected to leave at the end of the season
Not about the money: Micah Richards has been offered an increase to stay but wants more playing time
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Not about the money: Micah Richards has been offered an increase to stay but wants more playing time
What shall we do? Youngsters Jack Rodwell and Deryck Boyota are also considering their futures
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What shall we do? Youngsters Jack Rodwell and Deryck Boyota are also considering their futures
The 25-year-old’s contract does not expire until the end of next season, but City may look to sell him in a cut-price deal this summer to avoid losing him for nothing in 2015. Liverpool, Arsenal and AC Milan are monitoring the situation.
Dedryck Boyata, who qualifies as homegrown even though he is Belgian, has also been offered a new deal despite playing only one league game this season.
However, the defender is understood to be hugely reluctant to re-sign given his lack of playing time and is also likely to leave. City chiefs will open talks with James Milner — whose contract expires next season — before the World Cup, but the England forward wants assurances over his playing time before agreeing to an extension.
Luke Shaw shows off his free-kick ability in England U21 training
Play me! James Milner wants assurances before he commits to a new contract at the Etihad
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Play me! James Milner wants assurances before he commits to a new contract at the Etihad
Stunted growth: Rodwell has struggled to displace stars like Vincent Kompany since moving from Everton
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Stunted growth: Rodwell has struggled to displace stars like Vincent Kompany since moving from Everton
Pecking order: Alex Nimely may be tempted to move with the likes of Sergio Aguero ahead of him
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Pecking order: Alex Nimely may be tempted to move with the likes of Sergio Aguero ahead of him
The future of striker Alex Nimely, 22, is also unclear given that his contract expires this summer, while Jack Rodwell is known to be considering his future at the Etihad Stadium.
Midfielder Gareth Barry, on loan at Everton, will definitely be leaving while Serbia defender Matija Nastasic will be counted as an overseas player next season, having turned 21 last month.
Behind the scenes, the potential lack of homegrown talent is a concern and buying British is likely to be a necessity for City.
Sporting director Txiki Begiristain is well aware of the problem and City’s network of scouts are working hard to identify targets.
One of ours: Matija Nastasic will be considered a homegrown player next season having turned 21 last month
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One of ours: Matija Nastasic will be considered a homegrown player next season having turned 21 last month
Sticking with Toffees? Gareth Barry is certain to leave after spending the season on loan with Everton
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Sticking with Toffees? Gareth Barry is certain to leave after spending the season on loan with Everton
Warning signs! Scott Sinclair (L) was off loaded after barely featuring during his short spell at City
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Warning signs! Scott Sinclair (L) was off loaded after barely featuring during his short spell at City
However, persuading the likes of Shaw, 18, Barkley, 20, and Lascelles, 20, that they can fulfil their footballing potential at City might prove a further stumbling block.
You only need look at how some City buys have fared to understand why they might be cautious. Scott Sinclair and Rodwell arrived from Swansea and Everton respectively in 2012 but have struggled to make an impact.
Sinclair has been shipped out on loan to West Bromwich Albion while Rodwell has found first-team football hard to come by, partly due to injury, and has made only seven Premier League starts.
Chelsea manager: Jose Mourinho
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City manager: Manuel Pellegrini
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Head to head: Jose Mourinho (L) and Manuel Pellegrini could be competing for the same players next season
Old guard: John Terry (top), Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole (R) are some of Chelsea's hew homegrown stars
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Old guard: John Terry (top), Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole (R) are some of Chelsea's hew homegrown stars
Chelsea are also keeping abreast of the homegrown market. Manager Jose Mourinho could name only a 22-man squad in September after reaching his full quota of 17 overseas players.
At the time, John Terry, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Ryan Bertrand were the only homegrown players at his disposal — meaning he had to forego three squad places.
Chelsea, like City, will be in the market for all the best English talent this summer, including Shaw and Barkley.
And that means only one thing: sky-high prices.
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