SVEN-GORAN Eriksson insists that his latest purchases are a clear indication that Thaksin Shinawatra means business in the Premier League.

And after taking his summer spree to around £17m, thanks to the capture of Martin Petrov and Geovanni, the Blues boss promised that his spending is nowhere near at an end.

He is still actively pursuing Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini and will this weekend turn on the afterburners in his pursuit of Olympiacos' £10m-rated Mexican Nery Castillo, who can play on the left as well as up front. And The Sun has linked the Blues with a £4.5m move for Kieron Dyer.

City, however, have distanced themselves from a move for Dyer this morning.

Bulgarian international Petrov will nip back to Madrid to tidy up some personal details before marking his three-year stay with a debut at Shrewsbury next Wednesday night but the Blues' first-ever Brazilian Geovanni will feature at Charleroi tomorrow.

"Thaksin Shinawatra is showing with his backing that he was serious when he said he wanted City to be challenging close to the top and not near the bottom of the Premiership," declared Eriksson.

Quality

"Petrov and Geovanni are two players well known to me. They give us width, pace and lots of international experience.

"They also give us a touch of class and in the Premier League that is what you need. I am confident that the supporters will take to both of them and that they will each be a big success.

"There is one thing for sure our forwards will not be short of crosses coming into the penalty area this season."

So far Eriksson has brought a Swiss, a Brazilian, a Bulgarian and an Italian into the mix of nations at Carrington.

He will buy British at some stage but only the right quality at the right price.

"I said when I came here that a manager has to open his eyes to the whole world when it comes to transfers," he said.

"I am searching for British talent and you can find it but it costs a lot of money and there is a lot of competition. We will see. I don't think that signing these two great players means we have finished."

Cold-shouldered

Petrov cold-shouldered a move to London where he could have teamed up with fellow Bulgarian Dimitar Berbatov so that he could join the Blues for a fee of almost £5m.

The 28-year-old has no doubts that he has made the correct decision.

"I had other offers but I am happy to be at City," he declared.

"The fans are the best for me. I have watched them on television and been impressed.

"I know the manager - Eriksson is one of the first reasons I came here - I know Bernardo Corradi and I know Emile Mpenza so I will not have trouble settling in here. I know this club. I know it is a big club with great ambition."

Petrov who has had a recent cruciate ligament operation has already played this summer for former club Atletico Madrid in the Intertoto Cup and insists he is over the problems.

"I am fit and raring to go," he stated. "For me the Premiership is the best league in the world."

Eriksson's purchase of two such tricky wingers, who both possess speed and skill in abundance, is a clear indication that the Swede intends to shed his image in England of a dour tactician and attack teams whenever possible.

"We want to play good football and I think we will do so. Wingers are always in fashion but good ones are at a premium and we have two fine examples," he added.

What do you make of the latest developments at City? Have your say.