If the papers are to be believed, Robinho is being offered as part of a number of potential deals involving alleged City targets.

The latest suggestion comes from the News of the World’s Neil Ashton who believes offering the skilful Brazilian could tempt Inter Milan to sell striker Mario Balotelli.

“Mario Balotelli’s transfer to Manchester City is back on after they offered £20million for the Inter striker,” writes Ashton

“Balotelli, 19, is one of the most wanted men in Europe, but City are the only team to come close to Inter's valuation.”

Charlie Savage meanwhile reckons Robi could be heading across Milan to AC with Inter’s rivals willing to play £20m for his services.

“Robinho has impressed on loan at Santos, in Brazil, with a goals per game ratio of 1.4,” writes Savage. “He produced some excellent performances for Brazil on their way to a quarter-final place in South Africa.

“Italian president and Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has hinted at signing a 'mystery striker', thought to be the City player.”

Elsewhere, transfer gossip is surprisingly thin with the odd mention of James Milner and Craig Bellamy here and there – the usual suspects in other words!