Schalke 04 are favourites to sign Matija Nastasic from Manchester City for around £10m, with the German club set to beat off interest from Milan, while Scott Sinclair’s likely destination is Aston Villa rather than Crystal Palace, who are also interested in the winger.

Nastasic has fallen out of favour under Manuel Pellegrini, the manager believing Dedryck Boyata is a better prospect as a central defender despite the Serb coming close to being City’s player of the season two years ago under Roberto Mancini.

Yet despite Boyata twice going out on loan, Nastasic finds himself behind the Belgian and fifth choice at the club so he expects to leave for German club Shalke

Sinclair has failed to establish himself since also joining in the summer of 2012 and after being sent on loan to West Bromwich Albion last season if he does join Villa for around £2m this will be a 12th club of a peripatetic career.