Well, that's another World Cup done and dusted. Now for the serious business of deciding which of the planet's top players will be next on City's shopping list.

If that was a tweet, we'd have added a ;-) at the end. But it's not just the papers now - striker Edin Dzeko is "pleading" with the Blues to sign him, according to the Mail.

Their Screamer column doesn't beat about the bush: "Edin Dzeko is confident Wolfsburg will drop their £50million asking price and allow him to join Manchester City."

Not surprisingly, they add: "City have been put off by the German club's demands which rocketed as soon as a £35m release clause in Dzeko's contract expired."

But never fear: "The Bosnia striker is still hopeful he can persuade them to lower the figure."

Dzeko is quoted: "I want to clarify that it is not a matter of money, but of ambition. I feel I have to take a leap in quality and play for a big club.

"It is an important moment of my career and I also explained that to the leaders of Wolfsburg. With them I have a wonderful relationship and I'm sure they will fulfil my desire."

The other striker mentioned recently in an Italian newspaper interview by Roberto Mancini, Inter's Mario Balotelli, is inevitably still in the spotlight as well.

Screamer says Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola wants to hold talks with City and Manchester United this week. We bet he does.

What's that you say? Fernando Torres? Well, Mirror man David Anderson writes that Chelsea and Barcelona are still monitoring the striker but City have "admitted defeat".

Dave has never let this column down. So that's one to cross off Roberto's never-ending list.