Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is reportedly willing to offer Joe Hart to Stoke City in order to secure the services of their goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

Hart has been dropped by the Citizens in recent weeks following a series of high-profile errors, but Pellegrini has revealed that he will start in the Champions League against Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday.

Costel Pantilimon has been deputising in Hart's place, but Pellegrini plots to dip into the market for a new keeper, and The Mirror claims that he wants Begovic as his number one.

Former Etihad Stadium boss Roberto Mancini has admitted to planning to pursue the Bosnian international prior to his sacking in the summer, and the club's interest in him has seemingly been maintained.

The report claims that City will lodge a £15m bid for Begovic in January and offer Stoke Hart on loan for the remainder of the season, so that England's first-choice keeper can preserve his World Cup place.