POSSIBLE TARGETS: Kaka and Wesley SneijderThe Blues go into tonight's showdown with main rivals Tottenham needing a win to ensure a place in the play-offs for the elite European competition.
And if they do so, rival manager Harry Redknapp claims he has heard they have already got two major names lined up.
“They tell me they've got one or two players signed already who'll blow your brains out,” said Redknapp, whose side need to win tonight to retain any chance of overhauling the Blues.
“That's where they are going. They aren't going to stop until they win the title, and then the Champions League.”
City will be spurred on by the memories of Tottenham’s wild celebrations at Eastlands last season.
Manager Roberto Mancini says that stunning home defeat by Tottenham, courtesy of a late Peter Crouch goal, was a crushing blow.
But this time City need a draw to virtually end their visitors’ hopes and just two points from the last three league games to see off Liverpool’s challenge as well.
Mancini has steadfastly refused to discuss his plans for the summer, focusing entirely on tonight and Saturday’s FA Cup final against Stoke.
But the sight of Spurs players lapping up the adulation of their fans at Eastlands just over a year ago is still raw in Mancini’s memory.
“Last year it was hard to take,” he said. “It was important then that we played until the end.
“That time it was difficult to say whether we deserved a draw because both teams played hard to get into the Champions League.
“They did it, but this time we have a great chance.
“Tottenham are a good team, with a good manager and good players but we have the lead so we have the better chance. It will be an exciting game for sure.”
Mancini also believes his side has improved noticeably from the team which let it slip on that fateful Eastlands night.
“We are better than we were last year,” he said. “We have improved a lot this year, but we need to pay attention.
“It is difficult to say whether we are now better than Spurs, but this year Tottenham have been in the Champions League and that is very difficult.
“We have to beat them. It will be very hard as they will come to win the game.
“All that is important is that we get fourth place – how we do it isn’t important, but if we beat Tottenham it makes it more exciting.”
City fans’ excitement at possibly reaching the Champions League for the first time will be heightened by Redknapp's comments.
His claim comes at a time when City have reportedly been lining up a move for pacy Spain winger Juan Mata, and revives talk the Blues will be back in for Real Madrid ace Kaka and Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder.
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