MANCHESTER City have made an inquiry with Rangers about the availability of Scotland defender Paul Ritchie who had a loan spell at Wanderers last season..

The 24-year-old has yet to start a competitive game this season after completing a Bosman switch to Ibrox during the summer.

But Joe Royle is a big admirer of the former Hearts centre-half and has cash at his disposal as City prepare for their Premiership return.

Maine Road chairman David Bernstein had a conversation with his Ibrox counterpart yesterday and the City chief was not discouraged.

But Ritchie's agent Jim McArthur has tried to play down the possibility of a move today.

"It's not a rumour," admitted McArthur. "But stories that he's definitely on his way for £1million are not right, it's just an enquiry.

"The chairman of Glasgow Rangers phoned me yesterday to tell me that the chairman of Manchester City has made an inquiry about Paul.

"I said fine and he assured me that he would let me know if anything further happens during the next couple of days.

"It is still too earlier to say that anything will happen at this stage. The only reason he called me was because of the problems he encountered with Coventry over what happened with Neil McCann and Jorg Albertz.

"I have heard that he is all set to sign and that he would be in place for the start of the new season on Saturday.

"That might actually happen eventually, but at this moment there is nothing new to report and nothing has been agreed."

Rangers would welcome the cash as they continue their search for a top-class striker while City are determined to survive in the top flight.

They have already spent £2million on centre-half Steve Howey from Newcastle and brought in strikers George Weah and Paulo Wanchope.

Royle failed in his efforts to sign defender Ugo Ehiogu from Aston Villa and has turned his attentions to Ritchie, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Bolton last term.

But Ritchie's agent refused to be drawn on whether Ritchie is unhappy with life in Glasgow or would want to join City.

McArthur added: "I am not prepared to get involved in that.

"Paul is not getting involved in this at the moment and I've told him to go away and relax with his family because he is off today."