Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak: Expect “high-quality” arrivals as we target quadruple

Manchester City fans can look forward to “high-quality” arrivals at the Etihad Stadium after chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak declared his bold intentions for the summer transfer window.

Al Mubarak is targeting an unprecedented quadruple and insists significant funds will be available to make the dream a reality.

An uninspired City capitulated at the turn of the year as they finished a distant second in the Premier League, failed to make a mark in either domestic cup and bowed out in the Champions League last 16 to eventual victors Barcelona.

But despite a stream of reports suggesting Manuel Pellegrini’s departure was a formality, it now appears the Chilean manager will remain in the dugout for next season.

His task is to rebuild City’s squad with a near-blank cheque book, following UEFA’s decision to relax Financial Fair Play rules to allow more owner investment.

However, many of Europe’s powerhouses are primed for a transfer window spree, practically guaranteeing inflated fees and lengthy negotiations.

City have clinched two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a League Cup since their takeover in 2008. And although Al Mubarak is pleased with the club’s progress, he is not prepared to let the club stagnate.

"We have a great nucleus here and we want to preserve this nucleus - but at the same time we want to go the next level. We want a squad that is able and has the capability and quality to win the Premier League, compete and win the Champions League, compete and be able to go all the way in two cup competitions in England.

"I think you will see some changes. You will see some players who have served us well and maybe it is time for them to move to their next challenge, and you will see us in the market bringing high-quality individuals that fit within what we are aspiring to coming in this summer.

"I can assure you the squad will be stronger, the team will be more competitive. I am both confident and excited about what is coming next year. I want the disappointment of last year behind me, behind us all. We have all turned the page. The energy right now is positive, the energy towards getting back on track, winning that Premier League and getting a better performance in the Champions League. This is absolutely what is driving all of us right now."

It’s no secret that City’s squad is creaking with age. Experience is crucial, but too many of the Citizens' elder statesmen looked apathetic for much of the 2014/15 campaign. Reports on Tuesday suggested City were primed to make an audacious triple swoop for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling and Wolfsburg playmaker Kevin De Bruyne.

But given the interest in the trio, City would do well to land even one of them this summer. They have no chance of landing all three.

Neighbours Manchester United have already signalled their intentions to spend heavily in the summer, although their main objective should be holding onto David De Gea. Robin van Persie’s claims of a £200m transfer war chest at Old Trafford are probably a little exaggerated, but United will not gawp as City try and sign every hot prospect on the market.

Arsenal, too, are in need of a squad tinkering. While Theo Walcott finally announced himself as a possible replacement to Olivier Giroud in attack, the reality is that Gunners fans will demand a world-class striker over the coming months. Goalkeeper is another area of weakness. Petr Cech, or perhaps Iker Casillas, can alleviate those concerns.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho didn’t appear to trust his entire squad last season – rotating only on rare occasions – so he will seek to strengthen, while we can expect Tottenham and Liverpool to waste in excess of £50 million on mediocre talent. The end result? Clubs and players bluffing for improved deals and hugely inflated prices. That could lead to some late desperation.