Much of the speculation has focused on which stars the big-spending Citizens want to sign, with Napoli’s £50 million-rated Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani and Cagliari defender Davide Astori said to top their shopping list. However, UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations and the Premier League’s squad size restrictions mean there are likely to be more exits than arrivals at the Etihad Stadium over the close season.

With Mancini now gone the new in coming manager will have to agree to off-load much of his squad. Ex-Arsenal centre-back Kolo Toure, third-choice goalkeeper Richard Wright and forgotten men Wayne Bridge and Roque Santa Cruz will definitely be wearing different football kits next season, but they won’t be the only ones.

At least one of City’s big-name strikers will leave to free up space on the wage bill, although any offers for Sergio Aguero would be rejected. Carlos Tevez would like to return to Argentina, but none of the clubs in his homeland can afford either the transfer fee or his wages, so Edin Dzeko is the most likely departure. Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich are both interested in the Bosnian and could afford to match the £27 million the Blues paid for him in 2011.

Samir Nasri is the other major name likely to move on, this would have been more likely had Mancini stayed. The former boss was known to be frustrated by the French midfielder’s inconsistent form and attitude in training, so the club will view favorably an offer in the region of £20 million from Paris Saint-Germain.

England centre-back Joleon Lescott will also be told he is free to find a new club, after losing his place in the starting line-up to Matija Nastasic, who has been one of City’s most consistent performers this term following his move from Fiorentina last summer. There will be no shortage of interest in Lescott, with Everton and West Ham both ready to offer him deals.

City may consider offers for Gareth Barry, who has just 13 months remaining on his contract, and Aleksandar Kolarov, who has fallen behind Gael Clichy in the first-team reckoning. Officials will also actively try to offload Scott Sinclair, John Guidetti, Dedryck Boyata and Maicon after concluding they have no chance of becoming first-team regulars.

Ronaldo only interested in winning

Despite the once again sensational form of Cristiano Ronaldo, Los Blancos haven’t been able to  gain ground on their rivals in La Liga, and fell just short of Borussia Dortmund after an intriguing first leg in Germany.

Now, Sky, among other news outlets, is linking Cristiano Ronaldo with a possible move away from Santiago Bernabeu. The Portuguese international has seen the trophy cabinet run dry this season, with no clear way of catching Barcelona. Ronaldo has been very strongly linked with a return to Manchester United, who appear set to be retaking their perch atop some of the world’s biggest clubs.

The striker further fueled the fire by commenting: “I want to win wherever I am. That is what I want most, I am not concerned about renewing,” he said when asked about his contract situation.

Bale to replace Ronaldo?

Former French international Zinedine Zidane added further speculation this morning as Sky Sports quoted him as publicly discussing the future of Premier League Player of the Year Gareth Bale. Zidane insists that Bale will be highly valued, but pointed out that there are a number of clubs willing to pay for a player who could be the difference between domestic and European success.

“After the season he has just had – and still being so young, of course – Gareth Bale is going to be one of the most expensive players in the world if he decides to move,” said the former World Cup winner.

“Tottenham could demand £40m, £50m, maybe even £60m for him. It is a lot of money, but there are maybe three or four teams in the world that can pay that sort of transfer fee, and it won’t put them off.

“A player like Bale can be the difference between a big club winning the league or the Champions League.

“They would be getting the best player in Europe this season – and he is at an age where he can still play at the top for another 10 years.”

Mourinho on the move?

The final – and maybe most influential change at the Bernabeu this summer – could be the departure of boss Jose Mourinho. The so-called “special one” has felt the heat this season, culminating in a tense interview with ITV following his club’s Champions League exit yesterday.

When asked about the future of manager Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo refused to speculate.

“I do not know. Sincerely, I do not know,” said Ronaldo.

“I do not have to talk about other people, I am just concerned about the team and myself and that is all. The future of other players, or other coaches, does not concern me.”

With so many unknowns at the club this summer, Real Madrid – and Premiership fans – might be witnessing significant changes.

What do you think will happen with Ronaldo, Bale, and Mourinho this summer? Have your say below!

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Despite the increase in the number of supplements used in football teams, there is still a lack of proven evidence to suggest its effectiveness, and the evidence that does exist can often be exaggerated. In theory, supplements could enhance a team’s overall performance, allowing them to play for longer without getting exhausted and produce stronger winning kicks, though there is as yet no evidence to suggest what its effect has been on the premiership over the past ten years. Though of course, supplements do help to keep players at the top of their game for longer, they do still remain a supplement and must be used in conjunction with an effective diet, and of course, the talent to win a game.

“Firstly, I cannot help it that clubs are interested in me,” Podolski told Sky Sports in response to talks of an impending transfer. ”And there are always people behind the scenes who want to float something in this business.

“Secondly, any interest makes me proud because it is a recognition of my performance in London. It is unlikely [that I will leave] because, at the club and in the town, I feel really comfortable.

“As a player you have peace and quiet. I appreciate that very much. Therefore, I can honestly say: I am not preparing for any change.”

Podolski has eight goals for the Gunners in his debut Premier League season, but finds his club struggling as they aim to finish in the top four. If the Gunners can’t overcome the challenge that both Chelsea and Tottenham have laid down, they’ll find themselves out of next season’s Champions League competition before it even begins. Arsenal were knocked out of the competition by Bayern Munich just weeks ago, so Podolski and his teammates are now focusing 100% on the Premiership.

Podolski hasn’t scored a Premier League goal for Arsenal since the beginning of February, so will be hoping to return to form just in time to help Arsene Wenger’s side make a final push for the top four.

The 27 year old is currently away on international duty with Germany, having beat Kazakhstan 3-0 last week.

Carrick was at his very best once again against Chelsea in last weekend’s FA Cup quarterfinal clash, as one of the season’s best assists found the head of United striker Javier Hernandez. The ball from Carrick immediately drew immense praise from pundits around the country, and Rio Ferdinand was quick to point out the genius of his club and international teammate.

“Michael is the most under-rated and under-valued player in the league,” Ferdinand told Sky Sports following the match.

“No-one else could play a pass like he did for Javier’s goal. It has to be the ball of the season. But I am sure no-one will talk about it.

“It will be swept under the carpet and all the talk will be about other players who maybe do a little bit more explosive things than Michael does.”

Ferdinand has also been in sensational form himself, having attracted praise from pundits and fans alike for once again keeping a striker at bay. Chelsea striker Demba Ba had zero success against Ferdinand, and despite seeing his side’s 2-0 lead evaporate in the 2-2 draw there are large crowds calling for Rio’s return to Roy Hodgson’s England squad. If you’re bonus betting online you’re sure to expect an England call-up for the forgotten defender, and almost certain to wager for Manchester United to regain their Premier League crown with ten matches to go in the Premier League season.

The goal propelled Rooney to 196 goals for Manchester United since his move from boyhood club Everton, and admits that he’s looking to break past that barrier this season. The England international has been playing second fiddle to new signing Robin van Persie this season, with the Dutch striker only sitting behind Liverpool striker Luis Suarez in the league’s goalscoring charts.

Rooney, however, is not phased by his new role, and is simply eyeing more success with Manchester United.

“It’s great to have played so many games for this club at such a young age and it’d be nice to reach the 200 mark,” Rooney told magazine Inside United. “It would be an achievement I’d be proud of and hopefully I can get there between now and the end of the season.”

Rooney will have ample opportunities to break through the 200 goal barrier, with ten matches remaining in the Premier League season. On top of that, the Red Devils take on Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 clash tomorrow at Old Trafford. With a win or a goalless draw, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side will once again be in the quarterfinals of the world’s biggest club competition.

The Galaxy ran out 4-0 winners over the Chicago Fire, with attacker Mike Magee picking up a season opening hat trick. Despite winning last season’s MLS Cup, the Galaxy are a much weakened side, with Landon Donovan currently on leave and David Beckham no longer a part of Major League Soccer. Beckham made a high profile departure following his most recent MLS Cup, choosing to sign for French outfit Paris St. Germain in Ligue 1.

Keane is now tasked with providing most of the star power in southern California, and is joined by a host of former Premier League players as the new MLS season kicks off. The Portland Timbers completed the signing of former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre over the summer, with former Liverpool defender Djimi Traore joining the Seattle Sounders.

The former Liverpool boss was named interim manager at Stamford Bridge following the departure of Champions League winning manager Roberto Di Matteo, but has seen the club’s form plunge. On top of that, supporters have constantly been on Benitez’s back, pleading with Abramovich to replace the former Reds boss sooner rather than later.

Conte, meanwhile, has turned Juventus into one of Europe’s giants once again, and has reportedly attracted the attention of Chelsea’s rich Russian owner. If Conte takes the Chelsea hot seat, he’ll be forced to figure out how to blend Chelsea’s new stars – such as Eden Hazard and Oscar – with aging stars such as John Terry and Frank Lampard.

Chelsea currently lie in fourth place in the Premier League, just five points ahead of Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal. The Blues started the season in blistering form, but cooled off dramatically following their elimination from this year’s Champions League group stages.

“There hasn’t been anything to encourage me to think Cristiano would come back here,” Ferguson was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

“As far as I am aware, there is nothing in it at all. Ronaldo has got two years left on his contract and it seems to me it is all part of the negotiations that are going on about a new deal.

“Maybe his agent is playing the game. I think it is false hope. Cristiano will get a good reception. All our former players, especially the ones who have been great for this club, get a good reception when they return.”

Ronaldo is currently locked in contract talks with Los Blancos following his £80 million move to Spain in 2009, but still has two years left on his current deal. The Portuguese international is due to return to Old Trafford for the first time since his record breaking departure from the Red Devils as his side take on United in the Champions League tomorrow.

United are considered narrow favorites following their 1-1 draw in Madrid, with Danny Welbeck providing the crucial away goal. Ronaldo’s Madrid, however, are in a rich vein of form, having enjoyed yet another win over Barcelona in this past weekend’s El Clasico.

Gareth Bale was once again on the scoresheet, having been involved in all but three of Tottenham’s 2013 goals. The Welsh winger’s form has been nothing short of dazzling of late, and as a result the media has been purring over Spurs’ Champions League push as May quickly approaches. With important matches coming quick and fast, though, new boss Andre Villas-Boas remains adamant that nothing has been accomplished yet.

“It was very, very important for what it means, but obviously nothing is finished yet,” Villas-Boas told Sky Sports following Sunday’s match at White Hart Lane.

“We have to believe that we still have to fight hard. We have to play Liverpool (next weekend) and we have to try to profit from another important fixture and keep doing our job.

“It is important we gather as many points as we can to finish where we want to be.”

With only ten Premier League matches to go, Spurs still need to face Liverpool, Everton, Chelsea, and Manchester City, giving them one of the most difficult run-ins around the league. All eyes, however, will be firmly focused on a top four finish, as the squad continues to compete in the Europa League.

Gareth Bale and his teammates take on Inter Milan in the Europa League next.