Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is ready to admit defeat in his attempts to sign Liverpool defender Daniel Agger, as well as Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi.
Mancini is keen on signing both players, as well Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez.
Martinez, who has also been linked with Barcelona, is set to join Bayern Munich in a €40million deal, and Mancini insists deals for Agger - also a Barcelona target - and De Rossi are also unlikely to happen.
"We talked about Martinez," the Italian said.
"But it is a situation that is not easy because there are top clubs who want Martinez.
"De Rossi is difficult because he is at Roma. Agger? I don't think so."
Mancini has brought in Jack Rodwell from Everton this summer, but has missed out on the likes of Eden Hazard and Robin van Persie, who joined Chelsea and rivals Manchester United respectively.
And the City boss, who has recently suggested the club's lack of signings is down to football administrator Brian Marwood, has reiterated his stance that the club should have acted in the transfer market earlier this summer.
"Sometimes it is not enough maybe to have money to spend," he added.
"Sometimes you should move very quickly because when there are three or four top teams involved it is difficult."