That Roberto Mancini. What an absolute gent the gaffer is. The papers just couldn't make up their minds which strikers City want, so he's helped them out by telling them.

Well, up to a point. He's been quoted back home in Italian sheet Il Giornale confirming that he likes Edin Dzeko of Wolfsburg and Inter Milan's controversial Mario Balotelli.

But hang on. Didn't we "know" this already from the reams of transfer stories that have consistently managed to squeeze in despite that World Cup thingy in South Africa?

Ah, but this is the Blues manager responding to questions about specific players and saying yes, we would be interested if they were available. What, he's going to say no?

That would be plain rude, not to mention pre-emptive. Anyway, it's the green light as far as HM Press are concerned to file "strong" page leads on City's transfer plans.

Hence Darrren Lewis in the Mirror: "Roberto Mancini has revealed Manchester City are targeting an awesome £80million worth of striking firepower in Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli."

Darren has never knowingly undersold a story, although he muddies his own waters (that's a Blues joke, by the way) by tossing in a Fernando Torres steer from Harry Redknapp.

Those key Roberto quotes from Italy to stand up a line that several other grateful papers have also grabbed with both hands?

"Certainly Dzeko is more than just an interest", which still leaves plenty of room for interpretation, particularly as Daz adds that Wolfsburg would like £50m for him.

And on Balotelli? "We are always interested in good players. If Inter decide to sell [Balotelli], we will be there." Which is the standard response from the manual.

But signing them both? Oh, and don't forget Torres ("They're in for Torres," Tottenham boss Redknapp is quoted as saying by the Mirror). Could always play 4-1-5, I suppose.

Spurs, by the way, are said by the Mail to be closing in on a deal for Craig Bellamy. Hmmm. Do you think City signing Torres might make it easier to prise away Bellers?