City priced out of Evans move: Pep

manchester — Manchester City failed in a move to sign centreback Jonny Evans because they were simply unable to meet West Bromwich Albion’s asking price, says manager Pep Guardiola.

City were accused of “financial doping” by La Liga chief Javier Tebas after spending around £215 million ($284 million, 236 million euros) on new players during the close-season transfer window.

But with City having reportedly had an £18 million offer for Evans turned down by West Brom manager Tony Pulis, Guardiola suggested the club were not the transfer behemoth they have been made out to be.

“Jonny Evans was an idea. My colleague Tony Pulis put a price that we couldn’t afford at that moment,” Guardiola said ahead of City’s Premier League showdown with Liverpool on Saturday.

“We bought five players who cost around £35 million each. It’s not a big issue because we sold a lot. We got money to invest again. I’m happy with the squad and we’ll move forward with that.”

He added: “We had a little bit more money to spend, but not that much. Maybe you believe that because we’re Manchester City we could do that, but it was not possible.”

City had hoped to find a buyer for Eliaquim Mangala during the transfer window but the Frenchman stayed put and Guardiola said he could now provide an option at centre-back.

“If he’s here it’s because he is willing to play,” Guardiola said.

“I know his qualities. He’s a real central defender and we are going to help him a little bit with the weakness in the build-up, to help him improve.

“I spoke with him after the deadline, to say he is part of the group and that he has to win my confidence on the pitch.”

Guardiola also lifted the lid on the departure of highly rated academy product Jadon Sancho, whose concerns about playing time prompted him to join Borussia Dortmund in a reported £8 million deal. —