They are still waiting for Manchester City in recruitment circles. After the Saudi transfer explosion and the mass migration of England internationals this summer, those with an eye on the market feel City could be the ones who define the closing days of the summer transfer window.
“They still have arguably the biggest transfer fund in Premier League history to spend if they want to,” one Premier League executive told i of the reigning champions.
With Champions League prize money and sales of key players to offset spend and stick within Financial Fair Play rules, there is plenty of scope to invest in the squad.
A chunk of their fund was spent on prising Rolls Royce defender Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig in time for their Premier League curtain raiser at Turf Moor on Friday night, further bolstering an area of strength for Pep Guardiola.
But the smart money remains on them spending a further tranche before September’s deadline, with a new winger and midfielder exercising minds at the Etihad.
They have the funds to go big if they want to but their stance on Declan Rice, walking away from the deal after the asking price rose above their valuation, is evidence of City’s strict adherence to a grand recruitment plan that has had mixed success.
Guardiola absolutely wanted Jude Bellingham and Rice but a combination of the financials not working for the club and player preferences meant both fell through.
The deals that usually pay off – such as their long-running interest in Gvardiol or the perfectly played move for Erling Haaland 15 months ago – involve plenty of leg work and the right combination of age, potential and price point.
The emergence of Lucas Paqueta as a possible summer target is a case in point. While the flurry of reports that broke the news in Brazil suggested City want him now, it feels more likely that a move might be launched next summer when the West Ham player’s £85m release clause can be triggered.
Although churn at the Etihad is inevitable, few would have expected the level of change in the close season.
Ilkay Gundogan’s departure to Barcelona despite overtures from the club over a new contract represented a significant blow while they wanted to retain Riyad Mahrez. The 32-year-old’s age meant that a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia was always likely to be accepted but he leaves a void given his contribution last season.
All of this means the team that begins their attempt to win the title for a fourth successive season on Friday could be much altered by the time autumn arrives.
Cole Palmer, who didn’t quite grasp his chance in a season of opportunity last time out, may start at Burnley, while Kalvin Phillips could also get minutes after City turned down multiple transfer enquiries during the summer. It is a big 12 months for the England international.
Chuck in Kyle Walker possibly starting amid interest from Bayern Munich and it is an uncharacteristically unsettled period for a club usually associated with getting business done early.
For Vincent Kompany’s well-drilled Clarets it might end up being the best time to play them, tails up and catching the champions cold as they attempt to once again climb to the summit of European football.
Given what City have the potential to do next in the market, you wouldn’t want to take them on when they have hit their stride.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/6lZzLjM
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