City in for 'the new Messi' and other red-hot gossip

(30-09-2010) Manchester City are on the brink of snapping up Israeli playmaker Gail Assulin. Dubbed 'the new Lionel Messi' earlier in his career, the 19-year-old Assulin has cancelled his contract with Barcelona and is available on a free transfer. Elsewhere, Manchester United have been linked to £16m-rated midfielder Steven Defour of Belgian side Racing Genk; Inter Milan and Manchester United could cross swords because both clubs are chasing Aalesund goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard; Liverpool will fight it out with Serie A club Napoli for Auxerre's Slovenian playmaker Valter Birsa; and Manchester City are weighing up £15m-rated Sporting Gijon defender Jose Angel.