Pep Guardiola has refused to talk about a potential deal for Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Brighton.
A report from Mike Keegan in the Daily Mail last night insisted that Man City had ‘agreed terms’ with Haaland in a ‘significant step forward’ in the summer transfer.
Keegan went as far as saying that a deal ‘should be sealed in the next week or so’ with Haaland to become the ‘Premier League’s highest-paid player on more than £500,000 a week’.
Haaland to City could be sporting and sportswashing triumph
And that report triggered questions from reporters at Guardiola’s pre-match press conference on Tuesday. However, the City boss refused to speak about the Norway international.
Guardiola said: “No answer to your question. I have another concern in my head to think what will happen in this club next season.”
When asked whether they need a new striker in the summer, the City boss added: “We are playing without a striker. For many years I dont think about transfer windows especially when we have incredible things to play for.”
On whether he regrets his team selection against Liverpool in their FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, Guardiola continued: “No. I understand the opinions of my fans. My selection was for many reasons. They were ready. Kevin [De Bruyne] wasn’t ready, [Ilkay] Gundogan wasn’t ready.
“I understand the questions, I was in the hotel in Madrid and in London, I spoke with my doctors and physios. We listen and take the decisions.
“We have a lot of info you don’t have. If we were tired we wouldn’t run in the second half. For many games I ask a lot of my staff for the situations and moods of players. After I take the decisions.”
On the performances of Nathan Ake, who has been filling in for Ruben Dias, the Spaniard said: “He’s so reliable, especially when you behave in your life like him he always will do good.
@PepTeam had plenty of praise for @NathanAke in his recent press conference! #ManCity pic.twitter.com/toZn95A9Th
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 19, 2022
“In the bad phases always helping, exceptional person. As a football player, when these people when they don’t get the minutes he deserves and then gets the minutes, he’s thinking about the other ones and has done well. He’s aware of the behaviours and feelings and his life is better.”
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