David Platt has distanced Manchester City from reports linking them with a January raid for Barcelona playmaker Andres Iniesta.
It has been claimed that the ambitious Premier League outfit are looking to spend big in the New Year as they look to challenge for honours at home and abroad.
Barcelona midfielder Iniesta is one of those to have been mentioned as a possible target, despite being a key figure at Camp Nou.
City coach Platt has rubbished those rumours, with City looking elsewhere for new recruits, but admits that such a move would be possible should the club wish to explore that avenue.
He said: "There isn't a player this club can't afford, although I don't really think that Iniesta is on our shopping list."
Platt, who has been drafted into City's backroom staff by Roberto Mancini this season, has also sought to shed a positive light on the in-house bickering at Eastlands which has threatened to derail a promising campaign.
"There is a dressing room full of people who want to win things, and that spills on to the training pitch," he said in the News of the World.
"There is no doubt about it, things have happened inside the club. But it's nothing I haven't seen before and at times, believe me, I have seen a lot worse.
"But we did go through a period when things were blown up out of all proportion, and that was a little bit annoying.
"Look at the row between Carlos (Tevez) and Roberto at half-time against Newcastle. It wasn't as intense as everybody made out. But it happened and you have to live with it.
"Yaya Toure and James Milner had a spat on the pitch in one game and that's all it was, a tactical disagreement which finished there and then."
City's efforts this season have also been rocked by the news that influential skipper Tevez is keen to leave in January.
The Blues are hoping they can convince the striker to stay, though, and Platt admits the fiery Argentine will continue to play as along as he is at the club.
He conceded: "There is no point being stupid about it. If Carlos Tevez is available, he is going to be in the staring XI."
