Manchester City executive chairman Garry Cook is adamant they won't pay over the odds for players in January.

Cook said last night: "We have a very clear process and strategy by which we're talking to clubs and players. There is definitely a Manchester City effect out there. Unfortunately, that's affecting our ability to have normal business discussions.

"I have a responsibility to the owners but I also have a responsibility to the fans and I do not feel we should be overpaying. We may go through this next window and if Mark doesn't feel it's right, or if we feel that we're being pushed into places that we don't want to be, then we might not go down that route."

With striker Jo struggling to find his feet after effectively being bought by previous owner Thaksin Shinawatra, Cook has made it clear Hughes will choose the players from now on.

"The process is that he comes to me, we agree on the principles, we then have a weekly review with our owners by conference call and that's the way we work," said Cook.

"The strategy doesn't talk about just buying the fantasy league XI, it's about balancing homegrown talent with young talent breaking into the international scene and complementing that with some great stars that the fans, who are spending their hard-earned money, want to see."