We should have known. Wily Roberto Mancini has been working behind the scenes all along in a bid to strengthen the Blues' title challenge, he just kept it all hush-hush.

But word is out now back home. Forzaitalianfootball.com report that "City are hoping to add Roma midfielder David Pizarro to their ranks before the end of the January transfer window.

"Mancini is a known admirer of the Chilean and sees him as the ideal man to strengthen his midfield.

"The 32-year-old has fallen out of favour at the Stadio Olimpico this season as Roma coach Luis Enrique seeks to build a more youthful side.

"City are thought to be offering £1 million, and Pizarro’s agent, Giuseppe Bozzo, has booked a flight to London on Tuesday morning for talks."

Juventus are also hot on his trail, according to the Mail, who have an exclusive back-pager that "Tottenham have opened talks with City over a permanent move for loan striker Emmanuel Adebayor".

Sami Mokbel writes: "The Togo striker has been one of the star performers for Harry Redknapp’s side this season after joining on a season-long loan in the summer.

"Tottenham officials have held discussions with their City counterparts with a view to securing a move for the ex-Arsenal striker ahead of next season. They would look to pay in the region of £8million for Adebayor.

"However, Tottenham could be persuaded to push the boat out even more given Redknapp’s determination to keep Adebayor, who has shown a willingness to turn his loan deal permanent."

Wait, there's more. The Belfast Telegraph and others have Wayne Bridge "on the brink of completing a shock move to Sunderland".

 

They reckon Bridge will have a medical today and could make his debut for Martin O'Neill's side against Norwich tomorrow night

Meanwhile, Mark Hughes tells the Guardian City could do worse than loan out Carlos Tevez to a Premier League side in a move that "could seal the title," says Jamie Jackson.

He writes that "this would allow the forward to help take points from City's potential rivals while being unable to play against his parent club, with Hughes pointing to Emmanuel Adebayor as a working example".

Might QPR be interested then? Hughes is quoted: I'd consider it all the days of the week but the likelihood of that happening isn't likely, to be honest."

Well, as we've seen before, this is the day the unlikely sometimes does happen.