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As the traditionally chaotic last day of the summer transfer window bears down upon us, Manchester City’s lack of rampant spending has come as a shock to most of us, including Robbie Savage. After two summers of breezily outspending their nearest rivals, the Premier League champions have remained unusually subdued.

 
After losing out on the Premier League title on goal difference last May, Manchester United have attempted to addressed that in the most direct manner possible, by signing the league’s top scorer in Robin Van Persie. With the relatively inexperienced Jack Rodwell their sole signing thus far, Savage believes Manchester City are playing a risky game, and still need to invest in someone who is the finished article in their bid to retain their Premier League crown.

 
“You have to look United, [Shinji] Kagawa and [Robin] Van Persie coming in is a statement of real intent, they don’t want to lose the league on goal difference again this year,” Savage said. “Chelsea have added some real talent too. After winning the league, what City can’t afford to do is rest on their laurels and not improve.”

 
Roberto Mancini has seen efforts to sign his personal targets fail. City’s interest in signing Robin Van Persie was well documented, but limited by UEFA’s incoming Financial Fair Play rules and an excessive wage bill which accommodated the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz at the time, Mancini was forced to watch his prime target saunter to the red half of Manchester. Long term target Daniele de Rossi’s admirable decision to continue at his boyhood club Roma, despite Mancini’s long term interest, was another blow in what has been a frustrating summer for the Italian manager.

 
“If I know Roberto, he’ll have had his targets set out from day one [of this transfer window] and the club just haven’t let him get hold of them,” the Welshman continued. “It is a strange one. I’m sure the manager realises they’re playing a dangerous game and I’m sure he has been frustrated by it.”

 
While the last day of the summer transfer window has previously been notorious for stupendous last minute deals, there isn’t much to suggest there will be a frenzy of transfers tomorrow at the Etihad stadium.

 
“Things can still happen, even at this late stage,” Savage continued. “But what I don’t understand is why it is probably going to go right down to the last minute. We have seen United get their transfer business done early, and I’m surprised City haven’t done there’s already too.

“They are signing Scott Sinclair but I don’t think he’s going to go into the first team. You can’t see Jack Rodwell playing in that team every week either, so I think they need to invest in someone who is the finished article.”

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