Manchester City scouting for new Yaya Toure

Top-level officials at the Premier League champions have begun exploring their options, including Mexico international Hector Herrera, as the Ivorian winds down his career
Manchester City have started their search for a long-term successor to Yaya Toure.

The Ivory Coast midfielder has failed to hit the heights of last season at the beginning of the 2014-15 campaign and turns 32 in May.

The Premier League champions have been linked with the likes of Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, who signed a lucrative new deal only last week.

City's director of football Txiki Begiristain has got his network of spies searching worldwide for the right player.

Interestingly, the Etihad Stadium outfit have been scouting Porto's Mexican midfielder Hector Herrera, who goes by the nickname 'Zorro'.

The 24-year-old has caught the eye with his lung-busting displays and passing ability over the last 12 months.

Porto have placed a €42 million valuation on Herrera's head but City do have decent relations with the Portuguese giants, having bought Fernando and Eliaquim Mangala earlier this summer.

Stuttgart centre-back Antonio Rudiger has a deal in place to play in the Premier League.

The Germany international is one of the most highly rated young defenders in the Bundesliga and has already attracted interest from a number of English clubs.

Both West Ham and Newcastle attempted to land the defender in the summer, but Stuttgart stood firm and held on to the 21-year-old.

The Insider understands Rudiger has decided on a move to the Premier League despite interest in Germany from the likes of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have all been strongly linked.

"At this moment, Antonio's mind is made up and he wants to move to England, and that could be as early as January," a source close to the player confirmed.

"He knows the clubs that want him and he knows he has a number of options, but at this moment it remains to be seen whether Stuttgart would entertain him leaving before next summer."

Stuttgart have endured a disappointing start to the new season, with two wins from their first 10 games leaving them just above the relegation zone in the Bundesliga.