Trevor Sinclair admits that he doesn't see his former club Manchester City breaking the bank for any big-money players during this summer transfer window.
Having coasted to a third Premier League title in four seasons, in addition to winning another Carabao Cup, City hold an interest in England duo Harry Kane and Jack Grealish - who are both likely to cost upwards of £100million.
Pep Guardiola has been hotly tipped to turn to Tottenham Hotspur striker Kane in a quest to replace Sergio Aguero, while Grealish has emerged as one of the hottest properties in the Premier League after a number of swashbuckling displays for his beloved Aston Villa.
Sinclair, who played 98 games for City between 2003 and 2007, doesn't expect figures responsible for transfers at the Etihad Stadium to go against the transfer existing plan, though, even for Kane and Grealish.
He has cast doubt on the viability of both deals.
Speaking on talkSPORT, the former England player said: "For me, when you look at the principles that Man City try and stick to in their philosophy, I can't see them spending £100million on a player.
"One thing they have stuck to is that they've never broke records. So if you look at all the records that have been broken, they have never been anywhere near breaking records.
"Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea - all the other clubs are buying players for £80-90million. Man City have not been anywhere near that.
"I don't think that's by accident. I think that's by design."
Responding to claims that CIty need Kane, Sinclair added: "Why do they? They've just won the league. They didn't win the Champions League, but that was because - if you ask me - my honest opinion, Pep will look back at that game and, in reflection, he over-complicated it."
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