Sven faces fight to the death to bring brilliant Brazilian Diego to Manchester City

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The Swedish Manchester City manager met owner Thaksin Shinawatra earlier this week to outline plans for next season and is believed to have presented him with a shortlist of top names that included Bremen's free-scoring 23-year-old, as well as Newcastle's England marksman Michael Owen.

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Hallelujah: Werder Bremen's star striker Diego

He will have his work cut out landing Diego, though, after it emerged he not only faces competition from Real Madrid, Juventus and Chelsea but stern resistance from Bremen president Juergen Born.

"If someone is thinking of trying to buy Diego, they will have to kill me first," Born said. "He is under contract until 2011 and is our most important player, and he will leave this club over my dead body. I mean that. I haven't heard from anyone about him, and I don't want to."

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Boy from Brazil: Diego heads the ball as England's Nicky Shorey looks on at Wembley

Diego tried to dampen speculation about his future by appearing on German TV last night, and saying: "Even if we miss out on the Champions' League next season, I see myself staying here. There have even been suggestions my dad wants me to go to Real Madrid, but that's not true. He only wants the best for me, and he knows I am happy at Bremen."

VIDEO: Diego does a Beckham...