Manchester City Oust United and Barcelona to Sign Bruno Zuculini from Racing Club

Manchester City are on the verge of securing their third signing of this summer transfer window as Bruno Zuculini of Racing Club de Avellaneda has departed for England on Thursday to undergo a medical, the Argentinean outfit have confirmed.

The reigning Premier League champions have reportedly brushed aside competition from local rivals Manchester United and Spanish giants Barcelona by paying £1.5m to secure the midfielder's services.

A statement on Racing's official website read, "The only player who was not present (for training) was Bruno Zuculini, who travelled to England to perform medical examination at Manchester City."

The Citizens are looking to bolster their squad to defend their league title and aim for more silverware in the upcoming campaign. They have already signed two players this summer with the arrival of right-back Bacary Sagna from Arsenal for free and long-term midfield target Fernando Reges from FC Porto for a reported £12m fee.

Zuculini is likely to become the third addition to Manuel Pellegrini's side and an announcement looks imminent in the coming days. Earlier this year, Racing president Victor Blanco had revealed that City have already agreed terms to sign their talented youngster in June.

The 21-year-old plays as a defensive midfielder and will be vying for a place in the starting XI against Fernando, Javi Garcia, Yaya Toure, Fernandinho and 19-year-old youngster Seko Fofana, if he is promoted into the first team.

Zuculini made his first team debut for Racing in 2010 and has 100 appearances so far scoring 11 goals in total. The midfielder will be the fourth Argentine on City's roster for the upcoming campaign alongside Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Demichelis and Sergio Aguero.

He is capped at the U-20 level for his country and ESPN claims that the midfielder will not require a work permit to play in the Premier League as he holds an Italian passport.

Zuculini's arrival could also spell the end of the road for Jack Rodwell's career at the Etihad. He featured just 11 times in all competitions last season even though City played 57 matches in all competitions, en route to winning the Capital One Cup and the Premier League.

Reports suggest that the 23-year-old does not feature among Pellegrini's plans for the upcoming campaign and will be offloaded in the transfer window. West Bromwich Albion and his former club Everton are believed to be among the teams interested in giving the England midfielder a new lease of life.