New manager Hughes puts his weight behind City's bid for Ronaldinho

While new executive chairman Garry Cook confirmed a club record deal was in place to sign 20-year-old Brazilian Jo, it is the prospect of luring Ronaldinho to Eastlands that has got fans talking.  

The merits of signing the 28-year-old remain open to question.  

Samba superstar: Brazil hero Ronaldinho

For the vast salary Ronaldinho can command, Hughes would want to be sure the twice FIFA World Footballer of the Year would not be lacking in motivation.  

But, in taking up the challenge of getting City to break the established order in England, Hughes has backed attempts to get Ronaldinho. 

"Ronaldinho is one of the greatest players that has ever played and we are committed to bringing the best players to this football club," said Cook. 

"There is competition, we understand that, but it is well documented we have gone down a certain path and we are at a positive point. 

"You can never guarantee anything in football but Mark Hughes would like to see Ronaldinho here, I would like to see him here and I know the fans would like to see him here as well."  

Cook also stated that owner Thaksin Shinawatra, believed to be the prime mover behind the Ronaldinho bid, wants to pull off what would probably be the most amazing deal City have ever been associated with.  

For the moment though, the former prime minister of Thailand must be content with a younger Brazilian, 20-year-old striker Jo, who is on the brink of completing a club record £20million switch from CSKA Moscow.  

"We had some targets prior to Mark being appointed manager because there was a timing issue but we did say to everyone we were holding off," said Cook.  

"Now we have spoken to Mark about it you will see Jo at Manchester City."  

City bound: Striker Jo

Although on the outside it appears City's transfer policy is being dictated by the owner and his executives rather than the new manager, Hughes insists that is not the case.  

Players will come and go only with his agreement. 

"There is a lot of talk but I am manager of this football team," he said.   "I have to recognise the weaknesses in the team and address them. I have to target players.

"We want to improve players who have the shirt, if not, we have to bring in better. This club has to be as good and as strong as it can possibly be."  

It will be almost a month before Hughes gets to work with his squad, which at least gives him more time to bring in new faces than Sven-Goran Eriksson had last summer.  

Hughes has also been linked to David Bentley and Roque Santa Cruz, who he worked with at Blackburn, and needs to meet City skipper Richard Dunne to thrash out his future.  

Bentley and Santa Cruz would appear to be the most obvious candidates from the squad he has left behind at Ewood Park to join him at Eastlands, although new England international Stephen Warnock may also attract an admiring glance or two.

However, Ronaldinho apart, of almost equal importance to the signings Hughes makes are the players he keeps.   Dunne was hugely unsettled by the treatment meted out to Eriksson and this time last week appeared set on quitting City.

  However, Hughes - an old team-mate from his Everton days - appears to have caused Dunne to hesitate.  

Micah Richards, Michael Johnson and Joe Hart may also feel they will benefit from Hughes' guidance and the Welshman is keen to iron out any problems.  

"There are a few issues around the current staff, which are a priority for me," said Hughes.  

"I make no bones about the fact I am very demanding on a day-to-day basis.  

"Training sessions are high-intensity and I expect a certain level to be attained.  That is key to the way I approach my job.  

"But I am consistent with players and they know exactly how far they can go.  

"Once they understand and embrace my philosophy, they will thrive. I am convinced of that."