Mark Hughes knows Bellamy well from his time as manager of Wales and Blackburn, and the City boss could look to re-sign the temperamental forward who has also had his fair share of off-the-field problems.
It is no secret West Ham are desperate to slash their wage bill, and City could tempt him back north.
Despite reportedly offering more than £19.8million for Barca star Ronaldinho, they have have lost out.
According to Milan, they have reached an agreement in principle to sign the 28-year-old Brazilian on a three-year deal, subject to passing a medical later today and finally ending City's audacious bid for his services.
Barca confirmed in a statement on their website that the initial transfer fee was £16.7million, a figure which could rise to the full £19.8million pending additional payments.
2001-5 C.Bellamy 119/13 42
Signed from Coventry City in the summer of 2001 for £6m, one year after Bobby Robson tried to sign him from Norwich. Striker who went through a terrible time at Highfield Road, and blamed for Coventry's relegation. But his first season at SJP was remarkable. His injury towards the close of 2001/2 cost United a crack at the title. Made headlines on the front of the newspapers as well as the back for incidents including rascial abuse. Then of course there was the physical battle on the training ground as soon as Graeme Souness arrived at SJP. Souness tried to sell him to Birmingham but he turned it down at the last moment and went on loan to Celtic. Sold to Blackburn Rovers in July 2005 for £5m plus add-ons.