Manuel Pellegrini is beefing up his side to retain the title and it seems he sees goal scoring ace Edin Dzeko as vital to ensuring their victory for a second season running.

Dzeko played for Wolfsburg before being signed to Manchester City for £27m in 2011.

And it's not hard to see why Pellegrini would be lining the 28-year-old up for an extended stay at City.

He was a key player last season and their second highest scorer, sending 26 balls to the back of the net.

As he comes into the last 12 months of his current contract, the Daily Mail reports that talks are underway between Dzeko and City's management to get a new deal in place.

And the Bosnia striker couldn't be happier. He told reporters: "I can only say that I am happy at City and at the moment we are talking about a new contract and we will see what happens, but the main thing is that I am happy at City."

Sky Sports reports that Dzeko is likely to start up front with Stevan Jovetic against Liverpool, a side Pellegrini has already admitted is a "major rival" to City in the upcoming Premier League season.