Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is confident of luring big names to Eastlands.

He told the Sunday Mirror: "We haven't got the lure of Champions League football to help us when we are negotiating for players, but there are other benefits for coming to Manchester City.

"We feel we can offer big-name players something that little bit different - although obviously the aim is that we eventually have a team playing in the Champions League.

"Whether that is money or just a different challenge I don't know.

"But we are now in a position where Manchester City are a very attractive proposition to top players, even if we're not yet in the Champions League.

"The arrival of Robinho was a signal of intent that there is now another major player in town. I am sure that there will be top players out there who are at different stages of their career who will now look at Manchester City as a viable option."