Only days after securing the services of Gareth Barry – the Citizens completed the signing of the England midfielder  from Aston Villa for 12 million pounds sterling on June 2 - the world's richest club now aims to snatch Carlos Tevez from the ranks of their local bitter rivals, Manchester United..

City manager Mark Hughes has confirmed that the sky blues are ready to move for Carlos Tevez should Manchester United fail to agree a permanent 25.5 million pounds sterling deal for the Argentinian striker.

Should United continue to exercise uncertainly,  the world's wealthiest club have made it painfully clear that they are keen to exploit that exact hesitancy to the limit. 

Kia Joorabchian, the head of the consortium that owns Tevez's economic rights, met Manchester United executive, David Gill on June 3 and held a meeting while aware that City are lurking in the shadows should he decide to invite rival offers for the 25-year-old striker, the Guardian has reported.

After the meeting,  Joorabchian returned to London to consider United's anticipated offer on the table. The club had previously asked Joorabchian to reduce the 25.5 million price tag initially set when the Argentinean first joined the Red Devils on loan  in 2007, a request that left the striker, according to a representative, feeling "humiliated".

Given the current state of affairs, Manchester City are reportedly the 'favourites' to sign Carlos Tevez from the pack of teams that are asking for the services of the player, should the United deal go down the drain.

If that wasn't enough to show City's aspirations for next season, Mark Hughes and his rich Arab superiors are reportedly interested in luring Samuel Eto'o from reigning European champions Barcelona, as the player is also experiencing uncertainty regarding his contract and future at the club.

The Cameroon striker was given an ultimatum by Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola, on May 3 to end his contractual stand-off with Barcelona. Eto'o, who only has 12 months remaining on his contract with the Catalans, is likely to be offloaded if the Spanish team cannot secure a longer deal, and the likely destination for him,  would be the Eastlands, Manchester.

With that, and the current new kid on the block,  28-year-old Barry who was snatched under the noses of flirtatious Liverpool, Manchester City are taking a massive step forward to build on what was achieved this season, and be potential title contenders next season.