Although efforts to secure the services of Samir Nasri from Arsenal are continuing, even if the French midfielder signed it would now be too late for him to be involved in the Barclays Premier League opener against Swansea on Monday night.

Despite being labelled the richest club in the world thanks to the wealth of Abu Dhabi-based owner Sheikh Mansour, it was into July before the Blues added to last season's squad with the additions of Gael Clichy from Arsenal and defender Stefan Savic from Partizan Belgrade.

They spent a club record £38million on striker Sergio Aguero less than three weeks ago, and so far he has not played a game.

With the future of skipper Carlos Tevez remaining uncertain, it adds up to a chaotic build-up for Mancini.

The Italian is acutely aware his side dropped five precious points before the end of August last year, so it is little wonder he is worried at the damaging effect it could have on his team this time around.

"It is not important whether you are the richest club or not," said Mancini.

"The market is difficult. I understand that.

"But when you have your targets, it is important to go very hard.

"It was important to have these players for pre-season because it is there that you prepare for the season. At the moment, we don't have these players.

"I asked and I hope we can have them this week.

"But last year it was the same. In the first three games we lost against Sunderland and drew at Tottenham. That is why it is important to have them before."

Mancini delivered a similar attack before the last season ended, claiming it was the last summer for City to spend big before the new UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations kicked in.

He was incorrect in that assertion, although words are believed to have been exchanged during a summer meeting with chief executive Garry Cook and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

The difficulty in landing Nasri cannot be blamed entirely on the Blues hierarchy as even as late as this morning, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger seemed to be adopting a policy of total ignorance towards the transfer.

It does appear the deal will go through in a matter of days though, possibly as soon as this weekend, although the fact Mancini has been left hoping Tevez remains where he is says something about City's present predicament given the unsettling nature of the captain's summer statements.

"It is two weeks until the end of the market," said Mancini. "I think it is difficult for him to leave.

"I don't know if he will stay but at the moment, there isn't a team who want to take him.

"I would be happy if he stays."

Tevez will not be considered for Monday's game as he only returned to training on Monday this week.

Aguero is expected to play some part although, after opting against handing the former Atletico Madrid man his debut in last weekend's Community Shield, Mancini now faces a problem getting him into a fit state to feature.

"Sergio is not ready to play 90 minutes," admitted the City chief.

It is all building up to a rather hectic couple of weeks at the Etihad Stadium.

Craig Bellamy, Emmanuel Adebayor, Wayne Bridge, Roque Santa Cruz and Nedum Onuoha are all still to find new clubs, having been told their future lies away from City.

Indeed, one man who has been attracting interest, Shaun Wright-Phillips, is someone Mancini would be quite happy to keep.

"Shaun is a different situation," said Mancini.

"I have some good players, who deserve to play but it is not possible for them here. I hope they find a solution.

"But Shaun is a very good guy who did well for us in pre-season."