Pep Guardiola is set to enter the January transfer window with a staggering £200million at his disposal. With Manchester City currently experiencing a dramatic downturn, the club’s top brass have decided to significantly bolster Guardiola’s funds for a New Year spending spree.
Despite having spent little last summer, the City manager had already been promised £100m to strengthen the squad for the second half of the season if necessary. However, the English champions’ unprecedented slump in recent weeks has seen that war chest instantly doubled.
The additional funds will be used to target a host of big names, including Real Sociedad central midfielder Martin Zubimendi (£60m), Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres (£65m) and Newcastle playmaker Bruno Guimaraes (£75m). Guardiola’s side have failed to secure a win in their last six matches across all competitions, suffering five consecutive losses until the midweek 3-3 Champions League draw at home to Feyenoord.
Even this European result was considered a disaster as the hosts squandered a 3-0 lead against the Dutch side. This shocking run of form has forced City bosses to reconsider their proposed transfer strategy for the next year – and bring it forward in a desperate bid to halt the most serious crisis of Guardiola’s managerial career.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach had never presided over a four-game losing streak until the current decline.
Pep Guardiola has pledged to tackle Manchester City’s issues head-on ahead of their crunch match against top-of-the-table Liverpool today. The Etihad boss, having recently committed to a new contract, emphasised his dedication to rejuvenate his flailing squad with an infusion of new talent starting next month.
Guardiola confirmed: “I don’t want to run. I want to be there and rebuild the team in many aspects from now on until the end of the season and next season.”