‘Man City facing transfer heartache after Pep Guardiola bombshell’
Manchester City chiefs could be facing a tricky summer transfer window following an exit admission from manager Pep Guardiola.
The 10-time English champions have endured a challenging season after failing to defend their Premier League title for a fifth year in a row.
The Manchester giants have also missed out on all the other major trophies after suffering defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final on Saturday (17 May).
The Community Shield has proven to be Man City’s only success of the campaign following their victory over Manchester United on penalties last August.
Guardiola’s side had looked set to miss out on Champions League football at various points this season, but their destiny is in their own hands heading into the final game of the campaign.
Man City’s victory over Bournemouth on Tuesday (20 May) moved them up to third in the Premier League table, with a trip to Fulham on Sunday (25 May) their only remaining hurdle.
They will also head to the US to take part in the Club World Cup next month, where the winner of the competition will bank around £97million in prize money.
Pep Guardiola could quit Man City after transfer demand
Etihad chiefs are putting plans in place ahead of the summer transfer window as they look to challenge for the Premier League title again next season.
However, Guardiola has warned he will quit Man City if he has to work with a large squad again.
Speaking in his post-match press conference after the Bournemouth victory, he said: “I told the club I don’t want a big squad. I don’t want to put five, six players in the [squad], I don’t want that. I will quit.
“If they don’t make a short squad, I will not stay. It’s impossible for my soul to put players in the tribune and cannot play.”
Guardiola’s admission will have created a potential headache for club chiefs as they look to improve their squad this summer.
While Man City have suffered several injuries to key players, the squad is ageing and there are gaps that need to be filled.
| Position | Team | Played | Points | GD |
| 3 | Man City | 37 | 68 | 26 |
| 4 | Newcastle United | 37 | 66 | 22 |
| 5 | Chelsea | 37 | 66 | 20 |
| 6 | Aston Villa | 37 | 66 | 9 |
| 7 | Nottingham Forest | 37 | 65 | 13 |
Man City could spend big as deals lined up
Man City appear to have ended their pursuit of Florian Wirtz due to the amount it would cost to sign the Bayer Leverkusen star this summer.
However, Morgan Gibbs-White is still believed to be a top target after impressing for Nottingham Forest this season.
Tijjani Reijnders has been earmarked as another potential option in midfield, with Man City understood to have contacted AC Milan about his availability.
The right-back position is another area where they appear to be short after Matheus Nunes has largely occupied the role since Kyle Walker joined AC Milan on loan in January.
Although Guardiola has earned the right to demand a small squad, there could be some pushback from Etihad chiefs this summer as they look to freshen up the squad.
Man City spent around £200million on new signings in January as Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Nico Gonzalez all joined the club.
However, Marmoush is so far the only winter recruit to have nailed down a starting spot in Guardiola’s side.
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