Will Manchester City Break Into The Premier League's Top 3 Next Season?

“In business you are there to compete” - Khaldoon al-Mubarak, Manchester City chairman.

And a satisfactory job they have done thus far. The Abu Dhabi millions has seen Robinho arrive from Real Madrid for a record transfer fee, hire and fire Mark Hughes, snatch Carlos Tevez from Manchester United and under the reign of Roberto Mancini are currently in a battle for fourth spot with Tottenham Hotspur.

Yes, I no the question really should be can they break into the top four as they haven't achieved that feat yet but as al-Mubarak says the game is about competing and next season the aim will be to push into the top three.

Finishing fourth and entering the Champions League for the first time will be a massive step in the right direction. Players from all over Europe will hope that they will be Mancini's star signing this summer.

The reason is the same Robinho, Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor all joined the project at Eastlands; bumper wages, a realistic chance of silverware and Champions League football.

City can win any domestic cup competition. An Adebayor sending off and tiredness cost them in the FA Cup and only a last minute winner halted progress to the Carling cup final. In the league, too many draws under Hughes has made it a tight race for fourth.

“The adventure is scarcely begun and there is much prestige yet to be accumulated as ever more outstanding footballers are signed” - Kevin McCarra, football correspondent for the Guardian.

So who will Mancini sign? Frank Ribery or Ivica Olić from Bayern Munich? Goal scoring addict Luis Suarez at Ajax? Maybe even raid Chelsea for Joe Cole and Branislav Ivanovic? Whoever it maybe the aim is progression, accumulation of trophies, prestige. Long may the journey continue.