Pep Guardiola has reduced Manchester City’s chances of signing a Sergio Aguero replacement this summer and complains that the club ‘can not afford’.
City’s leading scorer of all time left Etihad Stadium at the end of last season after the end of his contract. He has since joined Barcelona, although he is not yet registered as a player due to their disastrous financial problems.
Since his departure, it has been speculated who City will sign to replace him. They have already submitted a bid of 100 million pounds for Harry Kane and have also been linked to Erling Haaland.
But when he spoke to TV3 (via Sky Sports), Guardiola said he was not sure of securing one of his goals.
“At the prices (quoted) we will not buy any strikers. It is impossible, we can not afford it. All clubs are struggling financially, we are no exception. We have Gabriel (Jesus) and Ferran (Torres) who have been incredible in this position.
Guardiola has not yet won the Champions League in City, despite major investments / David Ramos / Getty Images
“We have young players in the academy and we play many times with fake nine. There is a better chance that we will not buy a striker for next season. We will do what we can do in the transfer window and if we do not we can still have the team that has won the league three times in four years and reached the Champions League final. “
Guardiola’s complaints about the city’s financial situation are rather bizarre, given that they are said to be ready to break records in the Premier League to sign Jack Grealish. They also have the highest net spending for any top club in the last five years.
With this in mind, Guardiola’s comments should be taken with a pinch of salt, which means that a striker can still come in this summer. City are especially big fans of Kane. They are even willing to include more players in the deal in an attempt to convince Daniel Levy to play ball.
Other (cheaper) strikers that City have been linked to in recent weeks and months include Lautaro Martinez, Alexander Isak and Danny Ings.
