Manchester City target ex-Chelsea midfielder Kevin De Bruyne

London: Manchester City will have to pay at least £30 million (Dh171 million) to lure Kevin De Bruyne from VfL Wolfsburg after identifying the former Chelsea midfielder as a priority summer target.

De Bruyne has scored nine goals in 43 appearances for Wolfsburg since his £18 million (Dh103 million) transfer 11 months ago to the German club, who are second in the Bundesliga behind runaway leaders Bayern Munich.

His form has prompted City to step up efforts to sign the 23-year-old at the end of the season. Vincent Kompany, the City captain, is understood to have spoken highly of his Belgium teammate to senior figures at the Etihad Stadium, who regard De Bruyne as possessing the same goalscoring attributes of Frank Lampard.

— The Daily Telegraph