Manchester City hope to tie up former Barcelona kid Gai Assulin.

The talented young Israeli, once dubbed the "new Messi", has flown in for a medical ahead of signing for City and fulfilling his dream of coming to England.

Assulin, just 19, can sign for City immediately as he is a free agent after cancelling his deal at the Camp Nou. He impressed Roberto Mancini's staff on his previous visit two months ago.

The teenage starlet hopes to be clear of the injury that stopped him signing on his first trip - and City are poised to bring him into their squad as soon as possible if he is fit.

Assulin could not play in the Premier League at this stage and with City out of the Carling Cup he would probably be groomed in the reserves or even sent out on loan.

City insiders were raving about Assulin on his arrival as he has qualities they lack in their emerging group of players and he could make a future for himself despite the huge opposition in their expensive squad.