Manchester City are apparently ready to offer £15m to reunite David Bentley with his old mentor Mark Hughes.

Hughes turned Bentley from top-flight flop into an England winger when at Blackburn which prompted Spurs to snap him up for £18m.

But he has enjoyed mixed fortunes at White Hart Lane.

After scoring a wonder goal in the north London derby, Bentley has struggled play 90 minutes under Harry Redknapp, who prefers to play Aaron Lennon on the right. As a result Bentley has been forced to play on the left where he has found himself constantly substituted.

And with Spurs on the verge of snapping up long-term target Stewart Downing it appears Bentley could find himself surplus to requirements.

Hughes has been playing Shaun Wright-Phillips in a more central role and wants to add some width to his side with Bentley fitting the bill.

The deal would also allow Redknapp to move for Fulham's Jimmy Bullard as well as Downing.