Manchester City's capture of Everton defender Joleon Lescott has taken their spending for the past year to over £216 million.
And City's Arab owners have pledged even more if boss Mark Hughes can identify anyone else he wants before the deadline, plus another £100m in January.
Chief exec Garry Cook said: "The excitement and expectation have reached levels that have rarely been seen in the last three decades.
"How could you not be excited?"
if someone discovers the secret of cold fusion, Citeh is doomed 
Manchester City signing Joleon Lescott hopes Everton fans understand why he chose to leave.
"Of course it is going to bother me," he said.
"I had a good rapport with the fans and we got on well. I would like to think they understand I gave my all for Everton."
Not that Lescott wants to spend too much time talking about his old club.
Yet the 27-year-old has been accused of having a bad attitude by former manager David Moyes, who felt he made a mistake playing the defender in Everton's 6-1 home hammering by Arsenal on the opening day.
"I was disappointed in the comments about my attitude because they were not accurate," he said.
"I felt I conducted myself in the right way. If the players at Everton didn't think so I apologise.
"I also thought the criticism of my performance against Arsenal was a little bit unfair.
"I know it wasn't my finest performance for Everton. But I didn't think it was my worst either. It was a collective performance and Arsenal were better than us on the day."