The papers always love a good old fashioned "transfer tussle", when two or more clubs are said to pursue a player, and it would seem there are two involving City right now.

Under the headline "Arsenal in SWP tug of war", the Sun's Anthony Kastrinakis declares that "the England winger has been talking to the Gunners for some time and they are the favourites to nab him."

Fairly unequivocal stuff, with an addition further on of: "Wright-Phillips is looking to leave Manchester City and they will let him go for a reduced fee to get him off the wage bill."

Elsewhere in the old Current Bun, Martin Blackburn has City girding their loins for a battle with Manchester United over Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli.

"Eastlands boss Roberto Mancini has the teenager on his wanted list for this summer.

"The Premier League's big spenders are yet to make an offer.

"But if they do, they could find themselves caught up in a bidding war with their rivals from Old Trafford after the Serie A giants confirmed there is interest from both clubs." So, as Sir Macca sang in 1982, "one way or another it's a tug of war"....

And the Guardian revisits a transfer story from earlier in the summer, claiming that City are to but in a bid of £24M for James Milner. Stuart James writes that, "City, who had a £20M bid for Milner rejected in May, are prepared to turn their attention elsewhere if Villa are unrealistic with their valuation."