New City boy Petrov reveals Sven's pull after turning down Spurs

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Despite concern over Thaksin's suitability to take over at Eastlands, the controversial former Prime Minister of Thailand has handed Eriksson £17million to make four major signings in three weeks since persuading the former England boss to join him.

Model Citizens: Petrov, Eriksson and Geovanni

The deals have hardly made a dent in the Swede's transfer kitty. Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini, Racing Santander striker Nikola Zigic, Olympiakos front man Nery Castillo and Nantes midfielder Emerse Fae are also on his shopping list.

After completing the £6m signing of Bulgaria winger Martin Petrov — as predicted in Sportsmail last week — the City boss confirmed that Thaksin will not hesitate to open his chequebook again.

"There will be more players to come in," said Eriksson at yesterday's unveiling of Petrov and Brazil midfielder Geovanni. "I think signing players after the takeover shows people in other countries we're doing what we said we were going to do.

"It's getting easier. Every player wants to play in the Premier League and also to play at a club with ambition. We are a big club with a big project, so it's a big job."

Petrov, 28, opted for City despite strong interest from Tottenham, who wanted him to join fellow Bulgarian Dimitar Berbatov at White Hart Lane.

But he admitted it was Eriksson who persuaded him to switch to the north-west. Petrov said: "The main reason I came here was because of the manager. It's a big club and I want to play in the Premier League, but he was the main reason."

Eriksson will now step up his pursuit of Zigic, who was due to have talks about his future with Santander president Francisco Pernia last night. Villarreal are also interested in the towering Serbia striker.