Man City agree a fee for Bridge

Bridge is behind Cole and Belletti in the Chelsea squad

Manchester City have agreed an undisclosed fee with Premier League rivals Chelsea for England defender Wayne Bridge.

City boss Mark Hughes confirmed the deal on Friday and it is thought the club could pay up to £12m for Bridge.

The 28-year-old left-back joined Chelsea from Southampton for £7m in July 2003.

But Bridge has seen his opportunities at Stamford Bridge reduced since Ashley Cole's arrival.

He signed a new four-year extension to his Chelsea contract in July 2008, but has become surplus to requirements since the arrival of Scolari, who has opted to use Juliano Belletti as deputy for Cole at left-back.

"If they have a good deal, no problem for me," said Scolari on Friday.

And speaking ahead of City's FA Cup tie against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Hughes said: "My understanding is the clubs have agreed a fee.

"We need to speak to the boy and try to agree personal terms. If we can do that hopefully Wayne will be a Manchester City player, that's the aim.

"Wayne will probably travel to Manchester this evening and hopefully negotiations will go well and he can have a medical tomorrow."

Hughes was in the twilight of his career when he first noticed Bridge as an up-and-coming player at Southampton.

"He is a player I knew when I was at Southampton and he was coming through the ranks," added Hughes.

"He was outstanding and has progressed year on year. I would be delighted to welcome him here.

"Wayne is already a successful player - he is an England international who plays for one of the top four clubs in the country."

Scolari fends off transfer talk

Bridge is currently suffering an injury which will keep him out of Chelsea's FA Cup third-round match against Southend United on Saturday.

City's oil-rich Arab billionaires Sheikh Mansour and club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak are set to bankroll a January spending spree with the intention of lifting City clear of the relegation zone.

Bridge has made 142 appearances for Chelsea in over five years, as well as earning 32 international caps for England.