Everton accept City's 15m bid for Jack Rodwell

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini now has reason to smile ahead of the season opener, after it was revealed that Everton have accepted an undisclosed bid for midfielder Jack Rodwell.

The news will come as a breath of fresh air for the Italian, who was quoted bemoaning the lack of any new signings and troubled by the prospect of defending the Premier League crown with the same set of players.

Everton FC has confirmed the news on its official site, and it is believed Rodwell will be travelling to the Etihad for a medical today.

Although Everton have refused to disclose the fee, sources close to the player say it is believed to be in the region of £15m. Rodwell, who had been linked with neighbours Manchester United a couple of seasons back, will now be competing with the likes of Nigel de Jong, Yaya Toure and Gareth Barry for a place in the first team.

The signing should enable Mancini to have a competent squad for the Champions League campaign, in which they were knocked out from the group stages last season.