The experienced Republic of Ireland international was expected to lead the clear-out at the Eastlands Stadium as City's cash-laden owners prepare to assemble their own set of Galacticos this summer.

But the Manchester club are now looking at the possibility of building a super-sized squad as well as a super-quality side.

City are looking at reinforcing their defence, with Everton's Joleon Lescott one of the first names on Mark Hughes' shopping list.

Everton boss David Moyes does not want to sell but might find a £16m bid hard to turn down and City will use the same megabucks approach for other star players.

But they are also re-evaluating the strategy of thinning down the squad as new blood arrives and are considering trying to keep the likes of Dunne and Micah Richards at the club next season, even though their first-team opportunities might become limited.

Both Sunderland and Tottenham are interested in the City skipper should he decide he wants to pursue first-team football and the Black Cats are believed to be the Irishman's preferred choice if he goes.

But no firm decision on the 29-year-old's future has been made either by City or by Dunne himself and when the player returns from holiday he will seek talks with boss Mark Hughes.

Dunne – City's four-time Player of the Year – is exactly the sort of experienced centre-half that Sunderland want to bring to the club.

The view is that Anton Ferdinand would benefit from an experienced hand to guide him, rather than trying to boss the defence himself at this stage of his career.

Improving the quality in central defence will be a key priority for Bruce, who currently has only Ferdinand, Nyron Nosworthy, Danny Collins and Paul McShane at his disposal.