Transfer Talk: Manchester City closing in on Fabian Delph

Manchester City are reportedly eyeing a move for Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph. The England international penned down a new four-and-a-half year contract in January to stay at Villa Park but City have been informed of an £8 million buyout clause in his contract.

The 25-year-old signed an extension to a contract that was due to expire this summer, delivering a massive blow to a host of Premier League sides. Sources have also revealed that there is an £8 million buyout clause in his current contract that would force Aston Villa to give a green light on the transfer.

Although an £8 million buyout clause to a contract signed only a few months ago for a player of Delph’s caliber is less, it might actually be true as Villa were battling relegation and would have been gutted to lose their star player for free had they been relegated.

As Manchester City continue their hunt for home grown players to fulfill their quota, this might be an intelligent alternative should they fail to get Paul Pogba. With Tom Cleverly gone, Aston Villa will do everything in their power to keep Delph at the club but if there exists a similar release clause in his contract they will be powerless to do so.