Man City’s escape from serving a two-year ban from Champions League football calls into action off-pitch business.
Not many are happy with Monday’s news about Man City and the lift of their UCL ban but do they care? No, they don’t give a damn! They are already putting into place their plans that were put on hold since finding out about their restrictions from next season’s European cup back in February.
First on the list for the Manchester club is to secure Pep Guardiola to a new long-term deal. It shouldn’t be too difficult considering the Spaniard’s recent interviews where he states even if the club was to be a League Two outfit, the two-times Premier League champ would stay put.
Pep Guardiola says he would have stayed at Man City even if they were in League Two - after being asked if the UEFA overturned ban would keep him at the club
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 14, 2020
More: https://t.co/gCF9VERHZC pic.twitter.com/rAXu6vn4Rz
Monday’s ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) would not have influenced his decision, and staying in England he is more than happy to oblige to. Man City are working hard to get Pep to stay longer.
Starting with Pep Guardiola
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The club will offer its manager a deal too tempting to refuse. He is in the final year of his £20 million-a-year deal, as per the Mirror. Following the news, the hierarchy wants to “accelerate their rebuild and sign five new players” now that they will compete at the highest level.
"Manchester City will offer boss Pep Guardiola a lucrative new long-term deal after overturning their Champions League ban. City bosses will also use the decision to persuade Guardiola – who is already in the final year of his £20million-a-year contract – to sign a new long-term deal. (Via: The Mirror)"
They will start with Kalidou Koulibaly as per the telegraph. A centre-back, left-back, a Leroy Sane replacement, a David Silva fill-in, and another striker are regarded as top priority signings.
What we could be prepping for is many highjackings by the Citizens this season. They could still be in for Sancho and want to snap up the winger out from under the noses of their noisy neighbours.
He, without a doubt, is the best-suited replacement for Leroy Sane and would certainly excel at his old club. Throw in Jack Grealish and Man City are back to being named the biggest favourites for all titles in England and Europe.
Why are they acting fast?
Barcelona has already come knocking. The club has always been in the media talking up Pep and his potential return. The Top Flight reported it a month ago that they want their bald genius back.
It was a matter of City’s ban and if they were to serve the sentence, they would then only go in for the Calatan man. Now they are ban free and ready to do business.