Manchester City prepares £20m bid for Liverpool defender Daniel Agger

Manchester City are ready to pay Daniel Agger £100,000-a-week as they plan a fresh £20 million bid for the Liverpool defender.

City have already had two offers rejected for Agger but will return this week with a new bid as manager Roberto Mancini looks to bolster his defence ahead of the start of the new Premier League campaign.

The reigning champions are wary that the Dane has been pushing for an improved contract at Anfield but believe Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers could be willing to strike a deal so he can invest the money in his squad.

Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, have refused to pay Agger, who has two years remaining on his existing deal, the £100,000 weekly wage the 27-year-old feels reflects his worth to the team.

Barcelona have also been linked with a move for the versatile defender and the Anfield outfit may be tempted to accept a £20m bid for the former Brondby man, who was left out of the squad for last week’s Europa League victory over FC Gomel.

Agger joined Liverpool for £6m in 2006 and, despite injury problems, has been hugely popular with the Reds’ fans, making 34 appearances in all competitions last season.