Tuesday gossip from the club

There comes a point during the summer transfer tap-dancing when time begins to run out and decisions have to be made by players as well as clubs. We're almost there.

Roberto Mancini and his fellow managers will have their squads back in harness next week to begin pre-season training, and in an ideal world introduce any new team-mates to the lads.
The media know this full well, and are now on full alert for things to start moving, while players sense they have to make their move having had the summer to weigh up their options.
Not every player though. The Mail reports: "City will continue to press ahead with their attempt to sign Alexis Sanchez despite the winger claiming it would be a 'dream' to play for Barcelona.
"The Chilean international is angling for a move to the Nou Camp but that switch will not come about unless Barcelona agree to paying the fee Udinese are demanding for Sanchez.
"City are relaxed about the situation and both Udinese and Sanchez are aware of how keen the FA Cup winners are to make him one of their marquee signings this summer.
"Sanchez said: 'I dream of playing for Barcelona, because I have the chance to win a lot of trophies there. My biggest objective is to win a lot of silverware.

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'I am still a young player, but I have the ambition to become the best player in the world



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"I need to be more clinical in front of the goal, but I am very eager to continue developing into a better player.'"
Others have noted Sanchez's procrastination and are linking City once more with strikers that were mooted several weeks ago when the close season was young and the market was City's lobster.
Thus click-manchester.com, which does exactly what it says on the tin, picks up this morsel from Corriere dello Sport: "Manchester City are reportedly in touch with Inter Milan for striker Samuel Eto'o.
"Eto'o has encouraged interest from English clubs after he admitted he would not rule out a move to the Premier League this summer.
"Inter chief Marco Branca insisted over the weekend they did not want to lose Eto'o, but failed to rule out selling the Cameroon star. Chelsea are believed to be watching developments."
We're sure they are. One big move will set off a chain reaction in this heat ...
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