Mancini pessimistic on Serie A buys

The prospects of our taking Mathieu Flamini from AC Milan seem to have taken a bit of a knock, as Mancini has said that a move for Flamini - or for Giorgio Chiellini of Juventus - are unlikely:

Mancini said: "I think it's impossible Chiellini will leave Juventus, because he's their best defender right now. He's the best defender in Italy, probably.

"Flamini is a good player. But he is part of a Milan side who are doing very well in Serie A at the moment. They are only six points behind Inter. I don't think he would want to leave that at the moment. For me, Chiellini and Flamini are impossible."

It's a bit of a shame but not a disaster. Having signed Patrick Vieira Flamini would be more valuable as a full-back than a midfielder, and we do have a good stable of centre-backs at the moment without Chiellini. I'd love us to spend big there but with Vincent Kompany in the form he's in I'm not sure our season necessarily depends on it. And there are other targets out there.

Chiellini deal looks unlikely

It was always a bit of a long shot, but it looks unlikely that we wil be able to sign Giorgio Chiellini from Juventus in the January transfer window. His agent, Davide Lippi (son of Marcello) has said:

"The interest of Manchester United and Manchester City flatters us and makes us very happy, and there are also other clubs in Europe.

"But Giorgio is a very important player for Juventus and has a long contract with the club. And, as (sporting director) Alessio Secco said, Juventus doesn't sell its champions.

"I think that Chiellini will stay for a long time with Juventus.

"In the market there are many surprises, but I think it's very difficult to envisage a move for Chiellini."

And Roberto Mancini himself has made similar comments:

He told Italy's Sky TV: "Chiellini is the key to Juve's defence so it seems a bit difficult they would let him go. The same goes for Balotelli and Gattuso."

Mancini speaks quite freely about MCFC matters to the Italian media. It's worth keeping an eye out on what he says in future.