Manchester City are finally set to make their first signing since the end of last season after the Premier League champions agreed a deal for Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell yesterday.

City boss Roberto Mancini had been frustrated with the club’s failure to strengthen his squad, but the Italian should be appeased by the imminent capture of highly-rated England international Rodwell.

Rodwell, 21, is regarded as one of the best young midfielders in the Premier League and has already won two caps for England after making his debut against Spain last year.

He has also been named in Roy Hodgson’s England squad for Wednesday’s friendly against Italy in Switzerland.

Although Rodwell has been troubled by injury problems, including a hamstring problem which denied him the chance of playing at Euro 2012 and the Olympics, he had still showed enough promise to be linked with the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal.

His capture would add more energy and pace to City’s midfield as they seek to defend their English title and mount a renewed challenge in the Champions League. But Mancini would still like further additions in defence and attack.

He had hoped to sign Arsenal forward Robin van Persie, but a move for the Dutchman has floundered in recent weeks, while City’s sporting director Brian Marwood has so far been unable to agree a deal for Liverpool defender Daniel Agger after the Reds demanded a £27 million transfer fee.

Only last week, Mancini hit out at Marwood when asked about City’s transfer policy.

“I am not happy. But I won’t say anything at the moment,” he said.

“For this you should talk to Brian Marwood, not me. I am not the sporting director. I can’t say anything about the players.

“After three months or four months I don’t know what to say about this situation.”