Tottenham striker Harry Kane and Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland have both been linked with Manchester City
Manchester City are ready to spend big on a few quality players this summer, chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak says.
After the club’s Champions League final defeat by Chelsea, Khaldoon says City “will be back”.
He said “the biggest mistake” would be to rest on your laurels after winning the Premier League.
Through his club’s media outlets, Khaldoon said the emphasis would be on “quality”.
His comments come amid growing expectation that City is preparing a club record deal for English skipper Harry Kane.
“After we’ve won the league, it is not time to sit back and be satisfied,” said Khaldoon.
“That would be your biggest mistake. This is the time to send a strong message that there is no satisfaction, that you are not satisfied with winning the league.”
City has space for Kane in Pep Guardiola’s squad After the departure of striker Sergio Agüero one of the club’s top earners.
“Sergio Aguero’s footsteps are very difficult to fill, but I am confident that we will find the right player to fill them,” said Khaldoon.
“There are other areas in the team that require investment. Not too many – it’s not about numbers, it’s about quality. But we will bring quality to the squad in some key positions.”
This summer, many of City’s Premier League rivals will be looking to stretch budgets that have been massively hit by playing virtually a full season without fans.
And there are no guarantees that full stadiums will be allowed when the 2021-22 campaign begins August 14th.
“Our financial balance is strong and we will invest wisely and do what we have to do,” said Khaldoon.
“But the market is going to be tough because there is not enough liquidity. There will be movement, but in a more creative way.”
It has been suggested that City could use players as negotiating chips to close deals, although such transfers have proven difficult in the past.
But despite criticism from outside the Guardiola club for its team selection against Chelsea in Porto, the City hierarchy stands firmly behind the man who brought them three of their last five league titles and led them to what Khaldoon calls the “golden” des Clubs denotes epoch “.
“We will do everything we can to keep Pep at this club for as long as possible,” said Khaldoon.
“He is in the right environment and has the right infrastructure around him.
“We have the greatest trust and the greatest relationship and we have achieved so much. The journey goes on and it will go on as long as Pep is happy and we are happy.”
