By Daily Sports on January 26, 2019

Manchester City’s rivals in the transfer market are proving “quicker and smarter” in signing top players, says manager Pep Guardiola.

City were reportedly interested in Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who has agreed a July move to Barcelona where he will earn more than £300,000 a week.

Guardiola says finding value is now “almost impossible” when competing with top clubs for elite players.

“We have to be quicker, faster and don’t get nervous,” said Guardiola.

‘Sometimes we can’t compete – maybe we should trust the young players’

Research by La Gazzetta dello Sport published in May showed Manchester City had spent around £1.4bn on players in the last decade, the biggest outlay in Europe.

But their only major signing for this season was Riyad Mahrez and Guardiola, 48, praised the club’s policy in maintaining a “balanced” wage structure when chasing targets as it promotes “harmony” in the dressing room.

But asked how exactly City become quicker and more efficient in the market, he replied: “I don’t know.

“Everybody can pay a lot in fees and wages. Before the rumours were that it was just Paris St-Germain and Manchester City. That is over.

“The others are quicker and smarter, like we try to do. There are many and sometimes we can’t compete with that. We have to be quicker and smarter and try to buy the players. We have to adapt.

“It’s difficult to buy top, top players at a good price. It’s almost impossible.

“Maybe we have to trust in the young players and help them develop their own personality here.”

‘Wages maintain dressing room harmony’

De Jong will join Barcelona in July in a £65m deal which could rise with bonus payments.

City were reportedly keen on his signature but were put off by the prospect of the 21-year-old earning as much as striker Sergio Aguero. (BBC)

•Photo shows Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 26, 2019

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