Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini believes he needs to sign three new players regardless of whether Carlos Tevez stays or goes.
The Italian insists the Argentinian remains an important player for the club even as he tries to secure a move away from Eastlands.
The 27-year-old saw his hopes of returning to South America to be closer to his wife and two daughters dashed when Brazilian side Corinthians pulled out of a £40million move, citing the impossibility of concluding the deal before the closure of their transfer window.
And, as he looks to turn City into a side capable of winning the Premier League, Mancini, who has been linked with a move for Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero, still feels his side needs strengthening.
"I think it is really difficult to buy any players because all the good teams want these players," Mancini said on Sky Sports News.
"But I hope that before the game against (Manchester) United (in the Community Shield on August 7) we can have all these players.
"We have two, three targets but it depends.
"We need to improve because we are at the moment a few players (short) for competition and we need to have other players."
For the time being at least, Mancini still has Tevez and the manager is adamant he is still welcome at the club.
"At the moment Carlos is still a City player, like yesterday, like three days ago," the Italian said.
"In the future we will see what can happen. But for us Carlos is an important player.
"Carlos wants to leave, wants to come back to Argentina or maybe another country for his family. It is only because of this I think that the club accept to sell Carlos, because I think that we respect his reasons."
Tevez, on holiday after Argentina were knocked out of the Copa America, is said not to be "overly worried" by the collapse of his move to Corinthians.
Reports in Italy have suggested the striker has already met with Inter Milan sporting director Marco Branca on Thursday.
