Aston Villa have opened talks with Manchester City about signing Scott Sinclair, according to Sky sources.

The 25-year-old midfielder has struggled to break into City’s first-team since a £6.2m move from Swansea in 2012.

He has made just three starts for the club in over two-and-a-half years, spending a portion of last season on loan at West Brom, and only 19 appearances overall.

Sinclair is believed to be keen to leave as soon as possible to reignite his career and a number of Premier League clubs, as well as Villa, are interested in signing the former Chelsea trainee.

Sky sources understand the West Midlands club have stolen a march on his other suitors but are yet to meet City’s asking price of around £2.5m.

Sinclair spent time on loan at six lower division clubs before signing for Swansea in the Sky Bet Championship for £500,000 in 2010.

He was an instrumental part of the side that won promotion in 2011 and then survived in the Premier League under Brendan Rodgers the following year.

After 36 goals in 91 appearances, former England U21 international Sinclair left Swansea for Manchester City but has not been close to the first-team.