The autumn leaves are flying so we're getting closer to the next transfer window, and the Mirror is already keeping tabs on Mark Hughes' possible movements in that direction.

Their man spotted the Blues boss in Spain on Saturday night and decided that Sparky was "plotting his next big-money buy.

"Hughes jetted in to watch Osasuna's dramatic 1-1 draw with Barcelona even though City played less than 24 hours later against Birmingham yesterday.

"Big-spending Hughes met with Barca president Joan Laporta and sporting director Tiki Beguiristain at the game with the Spanish giants desperate to sign City's Brazilian forward Robinho in January.

"City are also watching with interest developments on Barcelona's former Arsenal captain Thierry Henry, who was left on the bench on Saturday night."

Elsewhere, the Mail's Simon Cass carries out a forensic examination of City's much-discussed defence based on performances at Birmingham, while Charlie Sale points out in his Sports Agenda that Ricky Hatton won't have pleased City fans by being pictured in a Stoke shirt.