Potential Manchester City Starting Lineup for 2012-13

A summer dominated by outgoings seems more likely than one of incessant spending at the Etihad Stadium this year, as the Club seek to comply with financial fair play regulations.

With the money raised from player sales, it seems probable for two or three new signings to make the journey to Carrington in search of domestic and European silverware, however.

The nucleus of the squad is already there, with only slight tweaking needed to refresh and provide additional options.

Following is a predicted starting XI for Manchester City's 2012-13 season.

Goalkeeper: Joe Hart

England's No. 1. All speculation regarding Buffon and other 'keepers transferring to Manchester died down a long time ago.

Right-Back: Micah Richards

Transformed into the league's leading right-back under Roberto Mancini. The rampaging Englishman is a guaranteed starter when fit for selection.

Centre-Back: Vincent Kompany

The club captain is a staple of the Manchester City defence.

Centre-Back: Joleon Lescott

The other half of what has been statistically the strongest centre-back partnership in the Premier League for the past two seasons.

Replacing the Englishman would just be spending for spending's sake, despite the former Everton man being criminally underrated by many.

Left-Back: Gael Clichy

Since his transfer from Arsenal in the summer of 2011, Clichy has made 21 starts in the Premier League, while his rival for the position, Aleksandar Kolarov, has made just nine.

The Frenchman has rediscovered the form which saw him voted into the 2007-08 PFA Team of the Year.

Regista: Javi Martinez

The Basque midfielder captained his country to the Under-21 European Championship last summer, controlling play with his metronomic passing. Those late to the Martinez bandwagon will have noted his performances as Athletic Club dismantled Manchester United in the Europa League last month.

With the central midfield position at City continually rotated, Martinez would be a welcome addition to the squad, although Athletic Bilbao have no reason to sell and would request a premium price.

Versatility also weighs in Martinez's favour, as the young Spaniard has also played at centre-back this season during Marcelo Bielsa's Bilbao revolution.

Box-to-Box: Yaya Toure

Now regarded as one of the powerhouse midfielders in the country, it is hard to think that there were ever any doubts about the Ivorian upon his arrival to England.

An ability to outmuscle numerous opposition players and influence games with seemingly unstoppable runs has seen any tags of "defensive midfielder" thrown well and truly off.

Inverted Winger: Mario Balotelli

Ignore the lazy speculation. Mario Balotelli will still be scoring goals for Roberto Mancini's Manchester City next season and for the foreseeable future.

Inverted Winger: Ezequiel Lavezzi

Seemingly more available than ever, Lavezzi's performances over the past two seasons have drawn a host of admirers.

Having experienced the chaos that is Naples first hand, it is no exaggeration to say that a move to Manchester for personal and professional reasons is a real possibility after the pacey attacker was understandably angry when his girlfriend, Yanina Screpante, was robbed at gunpoint.

Lavezzi's versatility to play across the front line, combined with his blistering speed, would add extra elements to the East Manchester attack.

Trequartista: David Silva

The Club's primary playmaker is a guaranteed starter when available.

Centre-Forward: Sergio Aguero

Sergio Aguero's debut season in the Premier League has returned an impressive 17 goals so far, yet the Argentinian striker is continually stressing that City fans have not yet seen the best of him.

More goals are to come once the forward is fully settled into the league and country.