Pep: We can’t compete with Barca on transfers
With the prospect of Frenkie De Jong’s future being decided this week, Pep Guardiola claims that Manchester City cannot compete with Barcelona in the transfer market.
De Jong, the most promising midfielder in Europe, is leaving Ajax in the summer and has attracted interest from the continent’s strongest clubs in recent months.
City registered interest early, with Guardiola telling club officials that the 21-year- old is an exceptional talent that they must do everything possible to secure — particularly given Fernandinho is 34 in May.
they have, however, met serious competition from Barcelona, Paris Saint- Germain and, to a lesser extent, Bayern Munich. Ajax want De Jong’s next move sorted by the time they resume in the Eredivisie after a winter break on Sunday, and there is confidence at the Nou Camp that he will be heading to La Liga.
Guardiola has not given up hope of the Dutch international joining City for a fee reaching £70million. Yet he conceded they are hindered.
‘i’m not talking about the case of the Ajax player because he is an Ajax player,’ Guardiola said. ‘But if you want one and many, many clubs want him it’s more complicated, especially if it’s Real Madrid or Barcelona.
‘Normally when you are involved with Madrid and Barcelona you are going to lose. You have to be quicker and more efficient. i’m making a statement in general about when many teams want a player that it’s more complicated.’
Guardiola defended City’s spending and suggested their wage bill is more streamlined than their European rivals. the City manager added: ‘A month ago, i started reading: “Ruben Neves, £100m.” that is not going to happen, we are not going to pay £100m for a holding midfielder.
‘the most expensive one was Riyad (Mahrez, for £60m) and he is far away from what the top teams pay. Our wage bill for the players is eighth, ninth or 10th in Europe. For next season midfield is an important target to find. it’s not easy to find the specific quality of the players.’
City have contingency plans should they miss out on De Jong. Lyon pair houssem Aouar and tanguy Ndombele impressed Guardiola in this season’s Champions League meetings. Neves, who City face this evening, is seen as consistent, although Guardiola noted he is playing in a different system alongside another midfield anchor.
tonight’s opponents Wolves are ready to open contract talks with Conor Coady this month to ward off interest in the centre back.
the captain has moved into the England reckoning with his performances this season. Coady, 25, will have two years left on his current deal this summer and Wolves want to bring Coady in line with the club’s highest earners.
As with the rest of the squad, Coady received an automatic 50 per cent pay rise for gaining promotion to the Premier League, but manager Nuno Espirito Santo has since signed Joao Moutinho and Rui Patricio on significant salaries.
Wolves are aware Coady is being scouted by the Premier League’s elite teams, with Arsenal paying particularly close attention due to his ability to play out from the back. Liverpool, Coady’s boyhood club, are also monitoring his progress.
Wolves are preparing to offer an upgraded contract to Matt Doherty too. the Republic of ireland international, 26, has been integral for Wolves in his right wing-back position.