Manchester City Transfer Dossier: Strengthened Defence Key to Pellegrini's Plans

The newly-crowned Premier League champions had to wait until the final match of the season to guarantee their second league trophy in three years thus cementing their dominance in the English football.

One of the main protagonists of the double which also included the much-maligned League Cup is Manuel Pellegrini. The Chilean who took over only last summer from Roberto Mancini became the first non-European in less than a year to win the highly competitive Barclays Premier League title.

Business so far

City defender Dedryck Boyata has signed a new two-year contract with the club, while Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna will join City after agreeing a three-year contract with Pellegrini's side.

What they need

The rear-guard has always been City's weakness as defensive frailties have cost them many points and could have cost them the title, but for Liverpool's collapse at the tail-end.

The other weakness has been in goal and it is thought that City should strengthen in this area. Joe Hart had a very irregular season and his mistakes cost him the starting position at different times in the season. While Costel Pantilimon never managed to convince Pellegrini as a reliable replacement.

Who could join

Porto's Eliaquim Mangala - Pellegrini's first choice - and Sagna - potential replacement for Micah Richards - remain closely linked with moves to the Etihad, with the centre-half's transfer fee and the full-back's wage demands likely to be expensive.

Pellegrini's side could also swoop for Manchester United target Cesc Fabregas this summer and the Catalan club are willing to listen to offers for the midfielder.

If Barca finally sell Fabregas, their target would be Juventus' Paul Pogba as they are hopeful of bolstering their midfield with the starlet – precisely the man wanted by City as the ideal successor to Yaya Toure.

Who could leave

While City face a dilemma about retaining the services of James Milner, the club could be set for a clear-out this summer ahead of the coming season.

Sergio Aguero has been heavily linked with a move away from the Etihad in the summer with Real Madrid known to be keen on the Argentine striker – but Real president Florentino Perez recently denied that they will try to sign the star.

Vincent Kompany has been reportedly earmarked by Barcelona as they look to take advantage of potential Uefa financial fair play sanctions. However, it looks unlikely City will be willing to lose the Belgian international, especially considering Pellegrini's weakness in the back-line.

City are faced with the possibility of losing one of their most influential players following suggestions Yaya Toure has grown unhappy with life at the Etihad.

Richards was likely to leave the Etihad this summer as injuries and the form of Pablo Zabaleta restricted his first-team chances, with just 10 appearances last season. However, he could be set to stay at the club after FFP irregularities – along with James Milner, who also wanted to leave.

The future of Jack Rodwell also remain uncertain.

What the manager has said

"We were the best team in the Premier League. It was a very special season for us, we were hardly never top and we had games postponed," said Pellegrini. "But the players believed in me. It is a very special group."

"The players always believed what I told them. To play the way I like, because that is what football must be like in a great team."

"We are building a club, not just a team that wins trophies every now and again. The past is the past but the future makes me excited to be here. If we want to be a big club, this has to be the first of many."