Transfer Talk: City look to trim squad by offering Robinho to Milan

(GETTY IMAGES)

Robinho is likely to become Manchester City's first big name sacrifice in their attempt to recoup £50m worth of transfer spending. The 26-year-old has been linked with a move to Milan, who have been watching the player with some interest since his stint on loan at Brazilian club Santos, and he could prove a valuable replacement for Ronaldinho, should his reported move to Flamengo be completed.

However, the City forward's £160,000-a-week wages and his club's £20m price tag could prove too much for the Italian side who have already said the purchase of Lukas Podolski is reliant upon the sale of other players. "Podolski will arrive only if one condition is met and that is the transfer of [Klaas-Jan] Huntelaar to the English Premier League, which would then open a few paths from a financial standpoint," said Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani.

If City cannot find a buyer for Robinho they hope at least to be able to off-load fringe players Craig Bellamy and Shaun Wright-Phillips to trim down their rapidly expanding squad and cover the cost of the signings of Jérôme Boateng, Yaya Touré and David Silva, who completed his move after undergoing a medical yesterday. However, Tottenham's Harry Redknapp is one manager who has already been put off by the inflated valuations of City's players.

When presented with the possibility of signing the club's castaways, he said: "City bought Bellamy for £12m and the player must be on considerably high wages. I just don't see it happening." Redknapp added: "Why would I be going for Shaun when I have Aaron Lennon?" This news has not deterred City coach Roberto Mancini's summer spending though, as he is currently locked in a battle with Juventus to sign Serbia's World Cup star Milos Krasic.

While discussing a potential move from Russian side CSKA Moscow, the 25-year-old's agent said: "Manchester City are offering more money to CSKA, and CSKA want to sell to an English club." But this by no means seals the deal because despite the allure of a bigger salary the player's agent added: "Milos just wants to play in Turin."

Chelsea

Juliano Belletti will return to Brazil and sign for Fluminense on a two-year contract, and the 34-year-old is set to be joined by former team-mate Deco. Although the Portugal midfielder has a year left on his contract, the Blues are prepared to release him so he can be closer to his family in Brazil.

Olympiakos

Dennis Rommedahl has signed for Greek side Olympiakos on a two-year deal from Ajax. The 31-year-old former Charlton winger starred for Denmark at the World Cup. He said: "I know that Olympiakos must reclaim the championship, that is why I'm here."

Blackpool

Israeli international defender Dekel Keinan will join the Seasiders from Maccabi Haifa, pending a successful medical today. The 25-year-old will be Ian Holloway's first summer signing as he looks to bolster his play-off-winning squad. Keinan believes the chance to play Premier League football "will be a marvellous opportunity".

Celtic

Manager Neil Lennon has revealed the Hoops are on the verge of signing Mexican midfielder Efrain Juarez from UNAM Pumas. The 22-year-old featured three times at the World Cup, and Lennon said: "We are very close to signing him and hopefully we'll seal it over the next few days."