Manchester City are planning to invest in youth in order to remain near the top of the Premier League for years to come.

The club have spent a fortune on players since the arrival of billionaire Arab Sheikh Mansour last September, with Robinho, Adebayor and Lescott among a large number who have arrived at the City of Manchester Stadium.

City currently sit in fifth spot in the Premier League, ten points behind leaders Chelsea with a game in hand, and are due to meet title rivals Liverpool and the Blues within the next month.

Despite a series of high-profile players continually being linked with moves to Mark Hughes' side, Garry Cook, the chief executive of City, has said the club is looking to invest heavily in their youth set-up in a plan similar to that at Arsenal.

Hughes will be able to have a chance to see the success of Arsene Wenger's youth policy first-hand when the two sides meet in the Carling Cup quarter-final on December 2nd, a tournament which the French manager uses to blood his younger squad members.

Cook added that the millions of pounds being spent on first-team players does nothing to hide the fact City are implementing a global scouting structure to unearth the world beaters of tomorrow.

"I think you’re going to see Manchester City really ramp up its activity in the youth area," he confessed.

Hughes recently said he has high hopes of Robinho taking to the field in the game against Liverpool.

The Brazilian has been missing with an ankle injury since September and City fans will hope he can inspire his team to victory as they look to upset the odds
and break into the top four and achieve Champions League qualification.