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Manchester City look to get the jump on Chelsea and Tottenham with £35m bid for Willian
MANCHESTER CITY look set to try and capitalise on Anzhi Makhachkala's change of approach by making a £35m bid for Brazilian midfielder Willian.
Both Chelsea and Tottenham have been linked with a renewed bid for Willian, having missed out on signing the 24-year-old when he joined Anzhi from Shaktar Donetsk in January.
But Manchester City have seemingly reacted quickest in the race to sign the player following Anzhi's "reformatting".
Reports in Brazil suggest City have already lodged a £35m bid in an attempt to beat out their Premier League rivals.
And while Anzhi are thought to have rejected City's initial offer, according to ESPN Brazil it is only a matter of time before the Citizens come back with an improved offer.
Willian cost Anzhi approximately £30m at the start of year and, despite their current difficulties, the club are not thought to be willing to part with any of their assets for below market value.
Announcing Anzhi's new philosophy on club president Konstantin Remchukov said: "The main news is that Anzhi will undergo a reformatting.
"Many of our expensive stars will leave Anzhi, while the club's budget will be decreased to $50-$70 million (£32.5-£45.5m) a year.
"We failed to clinch rapid success. Now Anzhi will develop its academy according to the medium-term plans of club development."
However, a statement on the clubs website stressed that Anzhi were under no immediate pressure to sell and the departure of big-name players could be a gradual process.
Manchester City have spent nearly £100m on new signings already this off-season with Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo, Stevan Jovetic and Fernandinho all arriving to strengthen Manuel Pellegrini's squad.
But it seems that City are still not content to leave it at that and may also look to add Willian, who played with Fernandinho during his time at Shaktar, ahead of the new season.