City sound warning

LONDON. — While Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea have all struggled to land their top transfer targets, Manchester City have laid down a significant marker to their title rivals with a £90 million spending spree. City’s Abu Dhabi-based owners have never been shy about splashing the cash, but the arrival of new manager Manuel Pellegrini and the perceived weakness of their rivals has given Sheikh Mansour an extra incentive to flex his financial muscles.

After surrendering the Premier League to United in tame fashion and then suffering the indignity of losing to Wigan in the FA Cup final, City’s hierarchy were quick to dismiss the unpopular Roberto Mancini before hiring Chilean coach Pellegrini with the promise of major investment. Pellegrini’s bosses have been as good as their word, with Jesus Navas, Stevan Jovetic, Alvaro Negredo and Fernandinho all arriving at Eastlands in a matter of weeks.

Navas, a fleet-footed Spain winger, cost £15 million from Sevilla and should add more pentration from midfield. Montenegro forward Jovetic, who cost £22 million from Fiorentina, is expected to bring invention and a killer instinct to the forward line.

He will be partnered at times by Negredo, a £20.6 million signing from Sevilla who has been dubbed “the beast” due to his imposing physical style. Pellegrini’s first signing was his most expensive to date as Fernandinho, a powerful Brazil midfielder, joined from Shakhtar Donetsk for £30 million. Understandably, Pellegrini is delighted with his club’s backing and he believes City’s ability to bring in all the new faces early in pre-season could prove crucial in the title race.

“I’m very happy and that’s why with (director of football) Txiki (Begiristain) we tried to do it is as soon as possible. That was very important for us,” Pellegrini said.
“We thought it was the best way to do it. We are very happy with what we’ve done but what happens with other teams is very difficult for me to compare.”

In constrast to Pellegrini’s huge outlay, there has been a surprising lack of activity across the city at Old Trafford. — AFP.