Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has shoved the responsibility for the lack of new faces at the Etihad Stadium this summer on Blues' football director Brian Marwood.
City are keen to sign Robin van Persie, with Mancini believing it is crucial to strengthen in order to defend their Premier League title.
So far though, with City unable to off-load any of their unwanted high earners, there have been no signings, with Arsenal snubbing an initial approach for Van Persie.
And, ahead of the Blues' friendly with Arsenal in Beijing tomorrow, Mancini, while not mentioning Marwood by name, made it clear where he feels the responsibility lies.
"For this question, speak to the man in charge," Mancini told reporters at a press conference in the Chinese capital.
"I am not in charge of this.
"It is important [to get players quickly] because, after what we did last year, we must continue to win.
"This year will be harder than last so we need to improve our team.
"We have a man who works for this and we hope that they can do a good job."
Mancini has previously made his admiration for Van Persie well known.
However, aware he will be facing Arsene Wenger tomorrow, the Italian opted to tread a delicate path.
"Van Persie is an Arsenal player, not our player," he said.
"He is a fantastic player, but we have four strikers and with those strikers we won the title last year.
"Van Persie is a fantastic player, but he is an Arsenal player."
