Dunne heading for the exit?

Manchester City are resigned to losing captain Richard Dunne after he turned down a new contract - with Spurs leading the chase to sign the defender.

BBC Sport understands Dunne, 28, has rejected a long-term deal, leaving City facing the prospect of him leaving on a free transfer at the end of next term.

Spurs are now closing in on a £5m deal for the Republic of Ireland star, with Portsmouth keen on his signature too.

Newcastle and West Ham have also been linked with the 28-year-old.

>>bbc sport.

I've consciously avoided posting links to transfer rumours so far, given the most of what is out there is complete and utter rubbish, yet there does appear to be enough substance behind this story to see all of the major media outlets devoting coverage to it.

I think it is still far from certain that Dunne is headed out of the club, and believe it is likely he is biding his time to see what shape and direction the club takes in the almost certain post-Sven era.

If it came to a decision on selling him though, I am somewhat in two minds though, but by and large think it would be a mistake.

He has of course been one of the stalwarts of the club in recent seasons and would be set to be amongst the appearance leaders if he played out his career at the club. Dunne also was named supporters player of the year this season for the fourth consecutive season and has by and large been a model of consistency for us.

There is a swell of opinion though that Dunne is not quite the player that he is largely thought and given his age it may well be that we have had the best of him, and £5 million would be a decent return for a guy heading into the last year of his contract.

We would also have either Corluka or Onouha to step in and replace Dunne, both in my mind better 'footballers', although not necessarily better defenders at this stage.

Why I think this would be a bad decision to sell him though is that it would add fuel to the fire that the club is currently being run about as well as Iraq is, and begs the question of 'Who's decision is this?' given Sven would surely be loyal to Dunne - citing his leadership and qualities throughout the season, and to allow the club captain to walk away to the club smacks of mis-management and short-sightedness on the clubs part.

It would send a bad message out and only serve to increase speculation around the likes of Hart, Richards, Johnson and Bojinov.

Still, given recent events at the club, anything could be possible.