Last Updated: Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:33
Mark Hughes is set to head off Everton's interest in Michael Johnson with assurances over the star's City future.
Everton boss David Moyes is set to turn his attention to Johnson after missing out on Aaron Ramsey - who chose Arsenal ahead of Everton who were apparently his second choice with Manchester United trailing in third.
Moyes will now look elsewhere and Johnson has appeared on his radar.
The England under-21-international is very highly rated despite an injury-plagued season last time out and new City boss Hughes would be very reluctant to allow him to leave.
The 20-year-old is said to have had his nose put out of joint after slipping behind the likes of Micah Richards in the wage structure at Eastlands which in turn has given Everton, where he spent some time as a junior, the sniff of a chance of landing him.
Moyes is said to be ready to offer £8m for his services, as are Spurs, but the biggest likelyhood is that Hughes will sit him down and offer him improved terms at City.