No, city proved that players will come for enough money. You've just admitted that. Can we afford to fill an entire team just like that? No.
I'm not going to quote players as example because as I've said to Jimmy I can't make an argument based on convos I didn't have.
My opinion and its only that is that as you say we are stuck in between . The finding gold among the **** will only get us to fifth.
Our "history" isn't relevant to European players not born during it.
If our owners really mean they want us challenging again, at some point be it when the debts cleared, or with increased tv money and a more sensible overall wage budget they are going to have to risk offering over the odds wages to players they put in the w/C bracket to stand a chance to get them. Its risky , they could fail, they could start the crying with our existing players not getting it but then those players are getting what they are worth if not more looking at their current performances..by all means if they raise their games to w/c they can renegotiate.
Alternatively the Owners can own up and say it's not possible and start looking for a buyer because the fan base isn't going to accept that.