Pep adamant on Aguero, but keeps coy on Sanchez
HOUSTON — Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said on Wednesday he had no plans to sell Sergio Aguero but confirmed the club was in talks over “three or four” potential new signings.
Speaking to reporters ahead of City’s derby with Manchester United on Thursday, Guardiola attempted to draw a line under speculation about Aguero’s future.
“He’s our player. He will remain here,” Guardiola said of the Argentine striker.
The Spaniard was coy about a possible move for Arsenal’s Chilean international Alexis Sanchez.
Sanchez is reportedly keen to leave Arsenal in search of Champions League action, although Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has indicated the player is not for sale.
“Alexis is a player from Arsenal. Arsene said that, it’s because he knows more than me,” Guardiola said.
Guardiola appeared to confirm City’s interest in Real Madrid rightback Danilo and Monaco leftback Benjamin Mendy, but again declined to go into details.
“We are talking to three or four players — with the next three, four, five years in mind. They are young players,” Guardiola said.
“We have options for players coming, but until the deal is done, out of respect for the other clubs I cannot say anything.
“Mendy is the same case as Danilo. We have targets and we see what happens. He’s a Monaco player so I’m quiet in my comments.”
City, meanwhile, is planning to offload striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who is on the brink of joining 2016 Premier League champion Leicester City.
Guardiola said the 20-year- old Nigerian, who was a bitpart player for City, needed regular first-team action.
“Kelechi’s a young player. It’s not easy for him,” the former Barcelona boss said.
“He needs to play at that age and that’s why he and the club decided it was best for him to leave.”
Guardiola, however, admitted the uncertainty surrounding transfers was distracting from his team’s preseason and suggested the transfer window should be shortened so it closed before the start of the new season. The window remains open until Aug 31.
“Unfortunately the market finishes the 31st. I think that’s a huge mistake from UEFA,” Guardiola said.
“I think the market should finish when we start the season. It’s too long, too large.
“We are playing here with guys who maybe will not continue, or with players who are coming but are not here. We are playing in a situation where we don’t know exactly what is going to happen for the rest of the season, so we miss time.”
City opens its preseason US tour against Jose Mourinho’s United at Houston’s NRG Stadium on Thursday.
It then faces Real Madrid at the Los Angeles Coliseum on July 26 before taking on Tottenham in Nashville on July 29.
We are talking to three or four players — with the next three, four, five years in mind. They are young players.” Pep Guardiola, City manager