Sven starts his Manchester City spending spree with the signing of Rolando Bianchi , the fee has been left undisclosed but is believed to be about 8.8 million.

The striker who scored an impressive 18 times for Reggina in Serie A last season stated that it was the involvement of Sven and his exciting plans for Manchester City that swung him towards Eastlands.

Meanwhile city are understood to have joined the race for Porto skipper Lucho Gonzalez. Gonzalez is currently playing for Argentina in the Copa America will command a fee of no less than 13.5 million.

And too think not so long ago we couldn't raise the 300k to get Craig Hignett !!