Mancini looking to build on Premier League success

Roberto Mancini is hoping for another summer of big spending at newly-crowned Premier League champions Manchester City.

City have been able to splash the cash since Sheikh Mansour’s takeover in 2008, with the transfers of stellar names such as Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli all bankrolled by the billions of the Abu Dhabi group.

Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has previously said that there is no need for the club to spend similarly large sums this summer, but Mancini has insisted that further investment is key if they are to build on this season’s success.

“Barcelona and Real Madrid every year buy two or three players and spend a lot of money,” the Italian told BBC Sport.

“I think for Manchester City it will be the same.

“We need to improve. We need to have the strength to play Champions League and Premier League.”

Mancini will also turn his attention to his current crop of players, with speculation continuing to surround the futures of Carlos Tevez and Balotelli.

Tevez was embroiled in a public falling-out with the club during the first part of the season, with his manager insisting he would never again play for the club.

However, the Argentine was welcomed back from a self-imposed exile in his homeland and played an important role in City’s first top-flight success since 1968.

And Mancini has stressed that their dispute is now dead and buried.

“It’s not difficult to manage Tevez. He’s a good guy. We had a good relationship always,” he said.

“I don’t know why we had that situation in September but in the end he’s a good guy and a fantastic player.”

There have been reports that the former Inter boss is set be rewarded with a new contract following his title success this season, but he has denied that any such talks between himself and the owner have taken place.

“He sent me a message of congratulations, he was happy,” the 47-year-old told Gazzetta dello Sport:

“We haven’t spoken about a new contract but I am very happy to work here.

“The basis is here to start a cycle.”