Pep Guardiola has refused to rule out the possibility of spending £ 100m on a player this summer but remained kind when asked about speculation that would link him to a move for Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland.
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The Catalan tactician recently rejected the suggestion that City could start a summer transfer spree in an attempt to replace the outgoing Sergio Aguero, claiming that the club simply can not afford to do so.
Premier League leaders face Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday night – offering Guardiola the chance to see Haaland in action – and while he claims the club have decided not to spend big money this summer, he did not rule out the possibility of a late change of heart.
Can Erling Haaland be on his way to Manchester City this summer? | Pool / Getty Images
“Maybe in the future it will happen when the club decides that it is necessary to improve the team in the next five or ten years,” he said according to reports from Sky Sports.
“But so far, the club, the organization, the CEO, the sports director have decided not to do it and that’s why they have not done it. Maybe in the future I do not know.”
With arrivals with big money apparently not an impossibility to City this summer, Guardiola was asked how much he thought Haaland was worth, even though he refused to be drawn on the subject.
“I do not know, it is a matter for Borussia Dortmund and his agent,” he added. “I understand that people are asking about Haaland, he is an exceptional striker, but it is not appropriate for me to talk about him.”
Pep Guardiola remained kind when asked about Erling Haaland’s links PAUL ELLIS / Getty Images
With an unmatched quadruple on the cards this season, Guardiola was quick to remove suggestions that City’s fine Premier League form would have some impact on their screens in other competitions.
“Why should we win the other competitions just because we lead the Premier League? The only problem is trying to win the match,” he said.
“Win this game and then comes Leeds, and after we go to Dortmund to win that game. If we play well and deserve it, we will go through. If not, we will try next season.”
