Manchester City boss Mark Hughes insists their mega spending isn't wrecking football.

Hughes said of that claim: "I don't think those suggestions are thrown Real Madrid's way too much, given the amount of finance they have spent.

"I'm not quite sure how their deals are financed but I would suggest we are in a good position in terms of the resources we have in comparison.

"Our intention at Manchester City is to build a club that can challenge for the top honours in the game - and at times we might have to pay a premium because we can't offer Champions League football at the moment.

"We still have pieces to acquire before we get the full picture of our jigsaw - but I'm pleased with where we are at the moment.

"Gareth and Roque are already across the line and, ideally, I want more deals done as quickly as possible so I have the squad I want to work with in place from the start of the season.

"And I won't weaken the squad in terms of outgoing deals before I have strengthened it first."