Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini admitted after his side’s 1-0 defeat at Sunderland that unhappy forwards Robinho and Roque Santa Cruz could be on the move before the transfer window closes today.

Mancini hopes to hang on to goalkeeper Shay Given who is wanted by Fulham manager Mark Hughes.

But Robinho, loaned to Santos in his native country last season, is seeking an escape route and has been linked with Barcelona and Milan, while Santa Cruz is another Fulham target.

Mancini confirmed: “I would prefer Shay to stay, but I spoke with Roque and he has two or three situations, and Robinho is the same. We have offers for Roque and Robinho, but I don’t know whether they will remain with me.”

City suffered their first loss of the season, and conceded a goal for the first time, when Darren Bent slotted a stoppage-time penalty underneath Joe Hart after Micah Richards had fouled the Sunderland striker.

But much of the after-match comment centred on who will be coming and going at the two clubs before the deadline.

Mancini, who has spent around £130 million of Abu Dhabi-based owner Sheikh Mansour’s vast wealth in the current window, hinted it was unlikely he would add to his squad before the deadline.

But Sunderland manager Steve Bruce wants a striker after selling Kenwyne Jones to Stoke and seeing Fraizer Campbell sustain suspected damaged knee ligaments against City.