JULIAN Rhodes today insisted it remains "business as usual" at Valley Parade as City embark on a potentially momentous week.

As revealed previously in the Telegraph & Argus, prospective owner Gianni Paladini has been given a deadline of the end of the month for his exclusivity period to complete any takeover.

Other interested parties have been told to hold off for at least another week as the Italian looks to seal the deal to buy out joint-chairmen Rhodes and Mark Lawn.

City have not made a summer capture so far but Rhodes does not see the ongoing ownership issue as any kind of obstacle for Phil Parkinson's squad plans.

Rhodes said: "We are carrying on as normal because normal for this time of year is not usually to be signing people. That tends to happen in June and July.

"I'm talking to Phil every day and he's talking to agents and players. But it will be next month by the time everything is done.

"By June, the takeover will have either happened or not. But I don't think it will make a huge amount of difference, although there will probably be a bit more money if it goes ahead.

"We are going to have a very competitive budget next season and we are looking at the better players for League One anyway. Gianni would surely want to sign those players.

"It might be more a question of numbers. If the budget's going to be more, we might sign the ones we're talking to anyway but also make the squad a bit bigger.

"This week is a big week. I think we'll know by the end of the week whether the deal is happening or not. Then we'll have more answers.

"But my gut feeling is it will be more a question of if the takeover happens, we'll have a bigger squad next season. I still think we'll be signing some decent players in the summer, no matter what."

Rhodes echoed chief operating officer James Masons's assertion that Valley Parade's pulling power, with the second-largest crowds in League One, can hopefully prove persuasive for targets.

But he admitted that City will not try to compete with the top-end wages being dangled by some of their rivals.

Rhodes said: "There are a few clubs in our division who are setting the market high because they've offered some decent wages. I won't say who but you might be surprised.

"Agents don't need to try it on because they are getting these offers elsewhere anyway. It's the way of the world and you're always going to get clubs having a go.

"The ace we've got up our sleeve is that most players want to perform in front of a big crowd and great atmosphere. That will be even bigger and greater here next season than last.

"If you were a footballer and your level was League One, surely you'd want to play in front of 17-18,000 as opposed to 5-6,000.

"If it comes down to a choice, if we're close to the money offered by a club with a lesser fanbase then they will choose us.

"But there are some clubs with smaller crowds who will blow us out of the water wages-wise.

"I'd like to think we're doing everything the right way. Unfortunately that will mean we don't sign players that we can't really afford.

"We have done that once or twice in the past, once most recently, but you're always going to make mistakes. The idea is to limit them.

"If you get the majority of signings right, you will move in the right direction."