Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted that the rising cost of top-class players means that his club are unlikely to embark on a spending spree during this summer's transfer window.
The English champions are currently 22 points off runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool and continue to be linked with a number of new players ahead of the summer.
The Citizens have been hit with a two-year Champions League suspension, though, which has led to suggestions that some of the club's key individuals could seek pastures new.
When asked whether City's transfer business would be as busy as when he first arrived at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola told Sky Sports News: "I don't think so. I don't think so because today it is so difficult to change the players because they are so expensive and it is not easy."
As it stands, the Manchester giants will be unable to play in Europe until the 2022-23 campaign, having been hit with a ban for breaching UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations.
City have allegedly already secured a deal ahead of the 2020-21 season, though, with the club said to have beaten Barcelona and Arsenal to the signature of Brazilian youngster Yan Couto.
Matt Law
