Tottenham Hotspur star Danny Rose emerges as transfer target for Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola

Manchester City are considering a move in signing Tottenham Hotspur star Danny Rose as Pep Guardiola has set his sights on strengthening his full-back position. The 26-year-old has been a key player in the north London club's back four and has beaten competition from Ben Davies to become the club's first choice left-back.

The Catalan manager has the services of Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov as his two first choice left-backs at the Etihad. The latter has also been used in the central defending position, leaving the former Arsenal defender as the only recognised player in that position.

Both Clichy and Kolarav, along with Pablo Zabaleta are 31, while Bacary Sagna is two years older than the trio. According to the Mirror, Guardiola is looking to lower the average age of his full-backs and has now turned his attention towards Rose.

City scouts have watched the England international closely in recent weeks and the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager is impressed with the reports he has received so far. Rose played in his side's 2-0 win over Guardiola's side at White Hart Lane in October.

Any move from City in signing the Tottenham star will see them face competition from local rivals Manchester United. The Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho is also planning to bring a left-back to Old Trafford and Rose has emerged as a transfer target.

Mourinho's predecessor Louis van Gaal was also looking at the option of signing Tottenham left-back. Rose signed a new five-year deal at White Hart Lane in September and the report claims the player is valued to be around £25m ($31.4m).

Rose has been a regular for both club and country after establishing himself as one of the best left-backs in the Premier League. City and United will face a tough battle in signing him as both clubs are aware that dealing with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is never going to be a straightforward experience.

The defender has been a regular inclusion in Mauricio Pochettino's starting lineup and has started in 10 league games, with injuries forcing him to rule out the remaining fixtures. He started in his side's 1-0 defeat to United at Old Trafford on 11 December and his tackle on Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the second half forced the goalscorer to leave the field on a stretcher.