Pep Guardiola draws up desperate plan for final two weeks of Man City’s window

Manchester City have already smashed the British transfer record when signing Jack Grealish, but would have to break it again if they are to sign top target Harry Kane

Pep Guardiola blasted claims that he was a ‘chequebook manager’ but that won’t stop the Manchester City boss hoping for one more big arrival this window.

The City boss offered a prickly response after his Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp appeared to suggest he has a major advantage when it comes to signing players.

City have already smashed the British transfer record when they signed Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish.

Klopp said: “I’m never surprised about the financial power of Chelsea, City or United. I am long enough in the country to know they always find a solution to do these kind of things.”

Guardiola refuted that suggestion, replying: “We spend because we can do it, we don’t spend when we cannot do it.

“At the end we have to present the balance and say this is what we are and what we have and what we can do.”

He added: “We’re here because we sell for £60m and that’s why we could buy Jack Grealish. Otherwise we can’t do it because of Financial Fair Play.

“The other clubs in France and Italy or wherever, every club is different. We try to do it in this way because the club believes it’s the best way to be there. That’s why we are.”

And despite that huge transfer outlay, City hope for an even bigger splash as they continue to chase Harry Kane.

Tottenham are adamant they won’t sell the striker, despite the England captain making it clear he sees his future away from north London.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is demanding around £160million for Kane and according to the Manchester Evening News, the remainder of City’s window will be dedicated to striking a deal.

There is still a gap to be bridged between what City will offer and what Spurs are looking for, but there is a hope that could be achieved by the August 31 deadline.

The report adds that such is the desperation to sign Kane, City are willing to sell almost ‘any first-team player’ should an acceptable bid come in.

Although the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias and Ederson appear to be safe, there could yet be a number of high-profile departures.

Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling have both been touted as players that could leave the club, but that could merely be the tip of the iceberg.

Guardiola has already proven he is happy to allow starters to complete exits, as seen by Leroy Sane’s switch to Bayern Munich last year.

And that pattern could be repeated in order to land Guardiola’s biggest target of the window.

City’s need for a centre-forward was clear during the defeat to Tottenham and the manager’s willingness to sell stars proves he is also fully aware of their biggest deficiencies.