Manchester City are ready to back Roberto Mancini by splashing out before selling high earners Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz.

The Manchester Evening News says with Adebayor digging in his heels over personal terms after City agreed a £5.5million deal with Spurs, and Santa Cruz also finding it tough to secure a move, the sell before buying philosophy has changed.

City boss Roberto Mancini has not been impressed with the way the club has handled its strategy, with tensions resurfacing with City football administrator Brian Marwood and he has persuaded chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak that the Blues cannot jeopardise their chances of bringing in new players by hanging on until others are sold.