With Mario Balotelli's future up in the air following another bust-up with Roberto Mancini, Manchester City have moved towards replacing the temperamental Italian by making a bid for Napoli hotshot Edinson Cavani.
City have put in an official £45 million ($72 million) bid for the Uruguayan striker, according to the Sunday People.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed he had rejected a similar offer in the summer, with Cavani having a buyout clause of a little over £50 million ($81 million).
If City choose to match that amount, then Napoli would be forced to consider a move, although the likelihood of anything materializing in the January transfer window is slim to say the least.
Even if Balotelli were to leave in the winter window, which is unlikely with no club ready to take a punt on the forward, Cavani and Napoli have made it clear a move will transpire only in the summer. Cavani's agent, however, has indicated his client would be open to a move at the end of the season.
City, along with Chelsea have been long-term admirers of the 25-year-old, who scored a hat-trick against Roma to mark the beginning of 2013, with Arsenal and Liverpool also linked with moves.
Meanwhile, Tottenham are looking to bring in highly-rated striker Leandro Damiao, by offering £15 million ($24 million) and goalkeeper Hurelho Gomes to Internacional, according to the Daily Mirror.
Damiao is one of the most highly-regarded players in Brazil at the moment, and Spurs have been linked with a move for the 23-year-old, with Andre Villas-Boas recently admitting his interest in the forward.
"There are many good players here, we are happy, but we obviously follow the best players and youngsters and Leandro Damiao fits in the profile," Villas-Boas told Lancenet a week back.
"Leandro was spectacular at the Olympics but there are other interesting players.
"We are paying attention to his progress but he had injuries after the Olympics and may not have played that often.
"If he is within our reach, he'll always be in our list."
Tottenham have already completed the signings of Lewis Holtby, who will join the club in the summer when his contract with Schalke expires, and Zeki Fryers from Standar Liege. Adding Damiao will be another coup for the North London side looking to cement their position in the top four.
