The Porto star will join former team-mate Fernando at the Etihad, in a move which could see Matija Nastasic sold to Italy.
Manchester City are close to sealing the £32million recruitment of Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala.
Mangala was last night undergoing a medical in Manchester.
And Sunday Mirror Sport can reveal that the France international’s impending arrival will signal the departure of several members of Manuel Pellegrini’s squad as the champions look to raise the cash for a sensational swoop for Everton’s Ross Barkley.
City failed in a bid to sign Mangala in January, but the 23-year-old finally agreed to join them after taking a week to decide on his future following France’s exit from the World Cup.
Serbian defender Matija Nastasic is now surplus to requirements following the capture of Mangala, and City are hoping that Juventus and Roma follow up their interest in the 21-year-old by lodging a bid that matches their £15m valuation.
The club are also looking to raise a further £20m-plus with the sales of Jack Rodwell and Micah Richards – which would then put them in a position to test Everton’s resolve to keep Barkley.
City are close to the £49m spending cap imposed on them by UEFA for breaching FFP regulations after recruiting Mangala, Porto team-mate Fernando and Malaga keeper Willy Caballero.
They have also landed Bacary Sagna on a free from Arsenal and must now sell if they want to invest again in Pellegrini’s squad.
There is an acceptance at the Etihad that a move for England midfielder Barkley may have to be put on hold for 12 months because of the fee that Everton will demand.
But if all of City’s planned sales fall into place then the champions could bring that schedule forward.
They could raise even more money by selling James Milner, while Alvaro Negredo is still a target for Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan want Stevan Jovetic.
But Pellegrini has no wish to allow any of those three to leave, and he is confident that Milner will either sign a new contract or see out the last year of his current deal.
Rodwell, a £13m signing from Everton in 2012, has seen his career stalled by injury problems.
But there is still widespread Premier League interest in him – including from his old club – and City believe they can recoup their money.
Richards has entered the final 12 months of his contract but City’s £10m valuation has not deterred Liverpool and Newcastle from keeping him on their radar.
