£200m for Pep to spend on fab four

PEP GuArdIoLA is targeting as many as four new faces to keep Manchester City on top in a spree that could reach £200million. Guardiola wants to ‘freshen up’ his squad with a defender, two midfielders and a striker on the agenda. Atletico Madrid central midfielder rodri is a target, with City mindful of a need to find competition for fernandinho, who turned 34 this month. Sporting director Txiki Begiristain made a personal check on rodri, 22, recently. The Spain international’s release clause is £60m. City have watched frankfurt striker Luka Jovic, while there is interest in Benfica’s Joao felix, 19. Jovic, valued at around £50m, is a target for a number of the continent’s top clubs, including real Madrid, but frankfurt are likely to resist offers should they qualify for Europe. Sources suggest City’s decision to call off the pursuit of Leicester left back Ben Chilwell is down to prioritising a new centre back. They have been in the conversation about Matthijs de Ligt’s prospective move away from Ajax but Guardiola admits City struggle to compete for players who Barcelona are also interested in. Guardiola is also an admirer of Leicester’s Harry Maguire and wants a creative midfielder, especially if Ilkay Gundogan departs. Houssem Aouar of Lyon shone during the Champions League group games. The threat of a transfer ban looms, although that is unlikely to affect this summer’s plans. Nicolas otamendi, fabian delph and Eliaquim Mangala are among those who could leave the club.