Manchester City ready to beat Liverpool and Tottenham with a £20m bid for Southampton's Jay Rodriguez

Manchester City are reportedly considering a £20m bid for Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez, who is also a target for Liverpool and Tottenham.

According to the Daily Mail, the Premier League champions are keen to sign the striker, despite closing in on a £30m move for Swansea's Wilfried Bony.

The Etihad Stadium outfit are aware of the interest from rivals Liverpool and Tottenham, but are keen to beat them to the England international's signature.

Mauricio Pochettino is a big admirer of the player he managed at St Mary's, and has been linked with a move for him since the summer transfer window.

Rodriguez is currently out of action as he is still recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in April last year. The injury also wrecked the striker's chances of travelling with the England team for the World Cup in Brazil.

The 25-year-old striker currently has one year left on his contract and has been offered a new and improved deal by Southampton, which he is yet to sign. The player is not willing to commit himself until he is fully fit and back on the pitch.

The Saints are reluctant to sell the striker after losing various key players in the summer, but a bid of £20m could persuade the club to consider selling Rodriguez.

Reds manager Brendan Rodgers is desperate to add a quality striker during the January transfer window after seeing summer arrivals Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert struggle to find the back of the net in the first-half of the season.

On the other hand, Spurs could hold an edge due to Rodriguez's familiarity with manager Pochettino during his time with the Saints, but City's financial power could be difficult to match for either club.