England midfielder Gareth Barry and striker Roque Santa Cruz have already moved to Eastlands and others are set to follow.

City are expected to win the race to sign former Manchester United forward Carlos Tevez and Mark Hughes has not given up hope of luring Samuel Eto'o from Barcelona.

really exciting

It all adds up to City starting next season away at Blackburn Rovers on 15th August in a stronger position than they finished the last campaign - and despite Ireland being the club's player of the year, finishing second-highest scorer with 13 goals, he is taking nothing for granted.

"What has happened this summer is really exciting and the squad is going to be a lot stronger, that is for sure," said the 22-year-old Irishman.

"Players are going to have to be flexible and that is great. There will be a big fight to get into that first team of the season and that is my immediate aim. Then it will be to play so well that the manager can never think of leaving me out."