United not interested in Eto'o

Samuel Eto'o's hopes of a big-money move to the Premier League appear to be dwindling.

After Manchester City publicly ended their attempts to sign the Barcelona forward on a massive contract last Friday, neighbours United have now distanced themselves from offering Eto'o an exit from the Nou Camp as well.

MORE: Manchester United transfer news and speculation

It had been suggested the Red Devils were ready to offer Eto'o wages in the region of £150,000-a-week to bolster their striking options, memories still fresh of his opening goal against them in last season's Champions League final.

However, while there will be no public statement on the speculation from Old Trafford, senior figures at United have distanced themselves from such talk.

Thoughts of a bid for the Cameroon star have already been rejected, with Sir Alex Ferguson happy to look elsewhere if, as is believed, he wants further attacking options despite the shock capture of Michael Owen, who will be officially unveiled tomorrow.

It leaves Eto'o in a quandary given City made it perfectly clear on Friday their announcement was not a game of brinkmanship aimed at securing the marquee signing they are known to be keen on.

In demanding half an estimated £18million transfer fee City had agreed to pay Barcelona, Eto'o said he would remain in Catalonia for the final year of his contract before leaving for nothing.

Without a further intervention, the 28-year-old looks likely to do just that.

Not that such a scenario sits easily with Barcelona, who are keen to complete a deal with Valencia for David Villa but are seeking to offload Eto'o first.

Ironically, Villa's insistence on remaining in Spain, rather than join Chelsea as John Terry believed was probable in the spring is one of the reasons given for the England skipper's willingness to, at the very least, talk to the Eastlands outfit, who are due to leave for South Africa on Wednesday, 24 hours before United head to the Far East for a four-match tour.

City hope to seal Tevez deal

Manchester City are hopeful of clinching the signature of Carlos Tevez before they head off for a three-match tour of South Africa on Wednesday.

Tevez has been tipped to land at Eastlands since informing Manchester United he would not be making his 'lease' deal permanent.

MORE: Manchester City transfer news and speculation

The South American's subsequent stinging attack on Sir Alex Ferguson has not endeared him to the Red Devils faithful, nor former United striker and current academy director Brian McClair, who branded Tevez 'disrespectful' for claiming he should have started the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in May.

However, his stock will have risen among the Blues support, who will have noticed how effective Tevez's all-action style can be. City officials have always been quietly confident of getting their man.

Aware of the complexities surrounding the Argentina star - who would have to join the Blues under normal contract conditions, rather than the third-party status that caused such controversy when it was unearthed at West Ham - City have been reluctant to appear too bullish.

Yet, if talk of a medical, which would have to take place tomorrow when the player returns from holiday, proves to be accurate ahead of a departure for South Africa, Tevez could then join fellow new recruits Gareth Barry and Roque Santa Cruz.

City are also monitoring John Terry's situation with interest as the Chelsea skipper continues to give the impression of wanting to talk with the Blues hierarchy.

Terry is said to have had a meeting with Roman Abramovich this weekend and is bound to have raised concerns about the failure to land any of the big-name targets that were put to him as possible signings last spring.

Fearing another season without either the Premier League or Champions League trophies despite the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti, Terry's head is sure to have been turned to some extent by the offer of a massive salary, said to be way beyond his current £135,000-a-week deal.

It is claimed City are ready with a third bid for the 28-year-old, which may just be enough to trigger a formal transfer request.

Real ready to give up on Alonso deal

Real Madrid are not giving up the chase for Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso - but coach Manuel Pellegrini admits it will be hard to thrash out a deal for the Spain international.

Despite the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Raul Albiol this summer Real are now looking to strengthen their midfield with Reds star Alonso top of their wish-list.

However Madrid are not finding it straightforward to cut a deal with the Anfield club and admit they are some way short of Liverpool's £35million valuation of the player. 'It's not a mystery Real Madrid are interested in signing him [Alonso] but it won't be easy,' said Pellegrini.

'We are looking at alternatives for some positions.

'The attack is complete and perhaps a central midfielder or full-back is still missing but the rest of the positions are covered.' Meanwhile Brazil playmaker Kaka insists he and Ronaldo were worth every penny of the huge £130m Real forked out jointly for them.

Kaka insisted: '[The reason] Madrid have decided to pay so much money for us is because we are worth it, isn't it? Because we've shown it with our football over the last few years.

'We are in a sport which pays these kinds of figures and within this sphere it could be that we are worth this investment.

'In the case of Cristiano Ronaldo he has shown he's No.1 and that he's worth this money.'