Anelka: Has joined City (ShaunBotterill/Allsport)

The Maine Road club were promoted from Division One as champions - and manager Kevin Keegan has invested heavily in new players to maintain that momentum.

French striker Nicolas Anelka, Cameroon international Marc-Vivien Foe and ex-Manchester United keeper Peter Schmeichel have all joined the club during the summer, with Algerian trialist Karim Kerkar another possible new arrival.

Bernstein confirmed more cash would be made available should Keegan decide to bring Kerkar to Manchester on a permanent basis.

And he added: 'Relegation from the Premiership for Manchester City this coming season is totally inconceivable.

'This club has serious ambitions, and we have proved that this summer with the exciting signings we have made.

'We feel that we've delivered on everything we promised in terms of adding to the quality of Kevin's squad in readiness for the Premiership season, but there is an exception to every rule.