Pep Guardiola has left the door open for a late transfer splash to add to the £210 million Manchester City have already spent in the current window.
But the Etihad boss has admitted defeat in bold ambitious moves for Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi and Monaco’s Kylian Mbappe.
He said: “Those players are players for Monaco and Barcelona. My dream is for one of them to stay his career in Barcelona and the other is a young talent. He will decide.”
But there could still be 11th hour action involving Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez and West Brom’s former Manchester United defender Jonny Evans.
Guardiola whose side face Bournemouth on the south coast tomorrow added: “Alexis?
"He's an Arsenal player, like Johnny Evans is a West Brom player. You have to ask Alexis. Normally I don't talk about players from other clubs.
"I'm happy with the squad I have. We have five or six days left, and we'll see with the market. Maybe some of the players here will leave and we will see.
"Now the market is difficult and it was difficult before. You have to spend more, not just City but other clubs. They're looking for the best solutions. They wait until the last minute to make the deal cheaper."
But if City don’t make any more breakthroughs before the window slams shut there will be no complaints.
“I was happy last season and happy this season. I was happy in Munich (Bayern). I was happy in Barcelona. I have had strong teams in my three clubs and I know how difficult it is but the clubs have always done as much as possible to make me happy.”
Speaking at length for the first time about Manchester City’s Champions League group which sees them in with Napoli, Shaktar Donetsk and Feyenoord he warned of the danger the Italians pose.
He added:"When the third pot is Napoli - the best team in the pot - it is complicated. In the Champions League we can expect Pots One and Two will be strong but today all the teams are strong.
“We're going to face the team who played the best football in Italy - I'm not talking about winning. I like to watch the teams who want to play.
“In Italy, where the culture is defensive in the box, they play 40 metres in front, a bit like Arrigo Sacchi did once. With the ball they are fantastic. For me, they are one of the three best teams right now in Europe playing football.
“And of course the other ones we are going to see. The Champions League is always complicated. Everyone can beat you home and away. Hopefully we can arrive in good shape."
First up it’s Bournemouth with Guardiola stating: “The Premier League is so complicated, it is so special. Sometimes in the Champions League the teams let you play.
“Bournemouth can play the football they want to play, the manager is so good like that. They had a fantastic season last season.
"They have started with two defeats but sometimes that can happen. It is just in the beginning.”