It will come as no great surprise this morning that various media outlets claim Roque Santa Cruz will leave the Blues for good.

According to The Sun the Paraguay striker is set for a move to German outfit Werder Bremen as City aim to shorten their wage bill to comply with Fifa Financial Fair Play rulings.

The 30-year-old has not played for the first team in two years and spent last season on loan at Real Betis in Spain, leading many to believe his time at the Etihad was coming to an end.

Meanwhile, website FootballFanCast.com claims Nigel de Jong could also be on the verge of leaving the club for pastures new.

The site alleges the Dutchman is wanted by Inter Milan who are attempting to lure the 27-year-old with the promise of more first-team football than he enjoyed at the Blues last season.

Moving away from transfer news and it seems Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney is turning up the heat ahead of the new season.

With just over a week to go until kick-off, The Daily Star carries an interview with the United striker who suggests City could crack under the pressure of defending their title,

“It’ll be a different situation for them, something they’ve never experienced before,” said Rooney.

“But we know all about when you’re trying to defend your trophy. “

“City being champions, they’ll have to face that now obviously. Sometimes it can be more difficult.”

I guess we will see about that, Mr Rooney!