ROBERTO MANCINI last night warned his former club Inter Milan that Manchester City will not be held to ransom over the signing of striker Mario Balotelli and will look elsewhere if he is not available at the right price.
City have already splashed the cash on Yaya Toure, David Silva and Jerome Boateng this summer and Mancini yesterday publicly confirmed interest in USA international Landon Donovan while not ruling out reports that he is also chasing Aston Villa’s James Milner and Lazio left-back Aleksandar Kolarov.
But even with as much money as Mancini has at his disposal, the transfer market still has its pitfalls. “The problem is that when clubs know that it is Manchester City they are dealing with the prices go up,” he said.
“This is not good and it is not right. It is only City moving the market.
“We have bought three good players already. But now Inter Milan, for example, are asking a lot of money for Mario Balotelli, and we want to wait. We are interested in good players like Balotelli and Milner but we have time before the market closes in August.
“We have a lot of different choices. But, as I said, when we come to talk the prices suddenly go up.” Mancini is not averse to playing games of his own, though. He surprised several journalists with his positive response to reports in the US that MLS star Donovan is in his sights.
He said: “He is a good player. It could be possible.”
However, such a move was later dismissed by City and in all probability it was more an act of diplomacy towards the nation that has been hosting the club’s pre-season preparations.
Speculation continues just as vociferously on who will be leaving Eastlands this summer but Mancini was keeping tight-lipped about the potential departure of Craig Bellamy, who was recruited by previous manager Mark Hughes and is one of a number of faces that no longer fit now that Mancini is developing a new-look side.
Yaya Toure confident of success at Yaya Toure confident of success at Manchester City
Yaya Toure is confident he will be a hit at Manchester City, as he prepares to join his new team mates.
The 27-year-old Ivory Coast midfielder has joined his brother Kolo at the club after agreeing a five-year deal.
Toure, who played every minute of Ivory Coast's disappointing World Cup campaign, had lost his regular place at his previous club Barcelona.
"It has been two years since Man City wanted me, I am happy and want to make this club big," he told BBC Sport.
Toure said he wanted to experience the passion generated by English football fans first hand.
"I once had a trial at Arsenal for two months and I loved it - the way people love football, in December in Europe everyone is on holiday, but they still play football and it's amazing," he stated.
He is looking forward to teaming up with his older brother Kolo and with the former Togo international striker Emmanuel Adebayor.
Yaya Toure is keen to playing with his brother Kolo and Emmanuel Adebayor
"I spoke to Emmanuel and my brother after the signing and said to them I want to make this club great in Europe," he added.
"The people at the club have a direction to make this club one of the greatest like Barcelona, like Real Madrid - this first year the objective is to qualify for the European Champions League and I am sure eventually we will win the Premier League."
Despite having fallen out of favour in his last season at Barcelona, Toure said he leaves the Spanish champions with fond memories.
"I played with some of the greatest players in the world like Messi, Iniesta, Xavi - in my three years I won seven titles, I will never forget this," he said.
After Ivory Coast's disappointing showing at South Africa 2010, Toure said he was still hopeful of winning a title with his national side.
"When you see this generation of players - Drogba, my brother, everyone plays in big clubs in Europe," he stated.
Liverpool to launch shock raid for Man City defender - Exclusive Mirror Bollox
Wayne Bridge is the latest English star to emerge on Roy Hodgson's radar at Liverpool.
The Manchester City left-back, 30 next week, faces an uncertain future at Eastlands with the club close to confirming the signing of £17million Lazio left-back Alexander Kolarov.
It would place luckless Bridge in the same position he was in at former club Chelsea last year.
Hodgson has already pulled off a massive transfer coup with his swoop for England midfielder Joe Cole on a free earlier this week.
The new Anfield chief has been further boosted by captain Steven Gerrard's insistence that he will not be leaving the club.
And with Argentine full-back Emiliano Insua on his way to Fiorentina for around £5million, Hodgson is now ready to add yet another Englishman to his Anfield ranks.
At Chelsea Bridge was the second-choice left-back behind Ashley Cole before moving to Manchester for £12million.
Although he initially made a solid start at Eastlands, Bridge suffered a torrid time last season with a long-term knee injury and poor form casting doubt over his position in the team.
Bridge was then rocked by the scandal involving the England skipper John Terry and Bridge's former partner Vanessa Perroncel.
Although he was backed by coach Roberto Mancini and his team-mates, Bridge's form was still affected and he went on to retire from international football in order not to face Terry.
Kolarov, who made two appearances for Serbia at the World Cup in South Africa, has yet to agree personal terms or complete a medical with Manchester City. But with the club having agree a fee with Lazio for the 24-year-old, there is little doubt that he will conclude a deal to become City's latest recruit shortly.
Tottenham to make loan move for Manchester City forward Craig Bellamy
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is making an audacious bid to take Craig Bellamy on loan from Manchester City.
Bellamy is on City's pre-season tour of America but is keen to move away following the arrival of David Silva from Valencia.
He has already rejected a move to Wolfsburg. Redknapp has admired the Welshman for some time, but Tottenham are reluctant to pay big money for the 31-year-old, particularly with his injury record, and Redknapp will try to take him on loan first - hoping that City see it as a quick solution. Mail bollox
Harry: We can be Tott dogs
HARRY REDKNAPP reckons Spurs are ready to pull off another shock - by winning the Premier League title.
Tottenham surprised many when they reached the Champions League for the first time last season by snatching fourth place ahead of Manchester City.
And Redknapp, in New York for tomorrow's friendly with the NY Red Bulls, insists his side are good enough to grab Spurs' first title since 1961.
He said: "We could contend for the title. We've got the players. We've got to aim for it. We could win it, it's not impossible.
"Some people might look at what we achieved last season and say it was a flash in the pan. We have to prove them wrong and really go for it.
"Manchester City will be a massive factor in the title race because of the amount of investment they are making - and will continue to make until they win the title.
"But we have got to aim to try to win the title ourselves. Last year we started by saying we wanted to finish in the top four and got there.
"If you don't aim for things, you've got no chance and the status quo will remain - with the big-spending teams winning everything.
"Somebody has got to do it at some time. It can't all just be Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool - why not Tottenham?"
He added: "There are two, three players I want and they will make a big difference."
DIEGO FORLAN'S WAG OF THE DAY
TRANSFER BOLLOX
Chelsea hope to beat off competition from Barcelona and Bayern Munich by tabling a £20m bid for Brazil and Benfica defensive midfielder Ramires. Sun
Fernando Torres has been in talks with Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow but the striker is keeping the club waiting when it comes to committing his future to them. Sun
Liverpool are in talks about selling Javier Mascherano after Italian club Inter Milan, managed by ex-Reds boss Rafael Benitez, made an approach for the combative Argentina midfielder. Guardian
The Reds also hope to beat West Ham to the signing of Nice striker Loic Remy by including midfielders Nabil El Zhar and Damien Plessis in a players-plus-cash offer. Daily Mirror
However, the Hammers are in pole position to sign Remy after making an improved £13m bid. Daily Mail
West Ham boss Avram Grant is waiting for Martin Jol to leave Ajax and take up the manager's post at Fulham so he can sign striker Miralem Sulejmani from the Dutch club. Daily Mirror
Real Madrid striker Raul is being lined up for a move to Tottenham Hotspur with the 33-year-old Spaniard available on a free transfer. Sun
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes he can persuade Sol Campbell to resist any overtures from Newcastle, Sunderland and Celtic and stay with the Gunners. Daily Mirror
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has joined the race to sign England goalkeeper David James, who is also a target for Scottish club Celtic. Daily Mail
Spanish La Liga club Sevilla have made a £9m bid for Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta. Daily Mail
Wigan are lining up a £2m move for PSV Eindhoven defender Carlos Salcido as a possible replacement for Maynor Figueroa, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool. Daily Mail
Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega is courting attention as Stoke are preparing to offer £7m and forward James Beattie to land the Colombian. Sun
West Bromwich Albion are weighing up a move for former Hull City midfielder George Boateng after the Dutchman started training with the club. Daily Mail
OTHER BOLLOX
Joe Cole claims he has joined the "biggest club in the country" following his free transfer to the Anfield outfit after his release by Chelsea earlier in the summer. Daily Mirror
Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher says the Old Trafford side want to win a 19th league title to move ahead of Liverpool and become England's most successful club. Daily Star
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp believes his side are capable of building on qualifying for the Champions League by winning the Premier League title. Daily Express
The Football Association has told England boss Fabio Capello he needs to run any outside business deals by them following the furore over the Capello Index. Daily Star
Manchester United's new signing Javier Hernandez, who scored twice playing up front for Mexico at the World Cup, will have the name Chicharito - which means little pea - adorn his shirt next season. Sun
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