Manchester City lining up bid for River Plate midfielder Nicolas de la Cruz?

Manchester City will reportedly launch a bid worth £21.3m for River Plate midfielder Nicolas de la Cruz next summer.

The 22-year-old has enjoyed an impressive run of form for the Buenos Aires side this term, playing an important role in the club's route to the Copa Libertadores final.

According to Ole, City have sent scouts to watch the player in action and recently met with River to discuss a potential transfer.

The player has a release clause of just £18.7m, although River only earn 30% of the rights to the player, with his agent owning the other 70%.

As a result, City are willing to pay over the odds at £21.3m in order to secure a move for De la Cruz, who has scored 16 goals for the River senior side over the past year.

The Premier League champions could reportedly loan the player out after purchasing him, with the Uruguayan unlikely to receive regular minutes at the Etihad straight away.