Exclusive: Man City to spend £200m in huge signing spree
Man City are preparing to spend around £200million in a huge signing spree when the transfer window opens next month.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what his sources have said about the transfer plans of Pep Guardiola’s once all-conquering team.
After spending £180million on incoming deals in January, City’s financial situation remains positive, while they are prepared to sell players to bolster their kitty.
This comes after former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider McAtee will not be a Man City player at the start of next season.
Meanwhile, City will also save money on Kevin de Bruyne’s wages when he leaves the club, and the Club World Cup will also provide a lucrative financial boost.
Guardiola is determined to see his side challenge for the Premier League and Champions League titles next season, and will now spend big on improvements to his squad.
Pep Guardiola planning £200m Man City spending spree
Brown told Football Insider in February that Man City will spend big this summer with at least five more big-name signings on their radar.
Football Insider also revealed that City will prioritise signing a central midfielder and right-back this summer before addressing other areas.
Now, O’Rourke has explained they have the financial power to do so with player sales also lined up to supplement their transfer kitty.
“Their spending power is there to see for everyone,” he told Football Insider.
“They did spend quite heavily in January, it was around £180million on five new signings after having been making profit on player sales for the last five years.
“Last summer, they made a net profit of £139million which helps with the transfer kitty.
“They’ve sold a lot of homegrown talent which is then pure profit on the books as well going into this summer’s transfer window.
“They’ll be saving on Kevin de Bruyne’s wages, and once he leaves there’s been suggestions they could sell some more homegrown talent to help fund their window.
“James McAtee is one player who could be sacrificed and any sale there would be pure profit.
“Another factor is the Club World Cup, if they were to win that it would be very lucrative.
“So the club are ready to back Pep Guardiola like they did in January, and they’ll probably have a similar kitty of around £180-200million to spend.”
Tijjani Reijnders update emerges after AC Milan latest
As part of their busy summer transfer plans, City have identified AC Milan star Tijjani Reijnders as a key option to bolster their midfield.
Football Insider revealed on 16 May that City want to sign Reijnders and are making progress towards his signing as Milan are set to miss out on Champions League football.
City’s move for Reijnders could be worth upwards of £70million, dwarfing Milan’s record sale which saw Kaka move to Real Madrid for £56million in 2009.
As a result, Football Insider revealed in March that Man City could sell players before signing Reijnders to clear space in the squad and raise funds.
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