'Grumpy' Pep Guardiola wants Man City to 'spend more money' | OneFootball

City reinforced their squad last month with two key arrivals

Pep Guardiola has jokingly fired a shot at Manchester City’s hierarchy over the club’s transfer spending, claiming that he does not “understand how” they have not spent more money.

It comes a day after the winter transfer window slammed shut, with City securing the £20million signing of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace earlier in the window, as well as the £64m arrival of Antoine Semenyo at the very start of January.

The Spaniard was asked how much credit sporting director Hugo Viana deserved for landing Semenyo and Guehi in January, with Guardiola replying: “Really good.”

He continued: “I am a little bit sad and upset because the net spent the last five years, we are seventh in the Premier League.

“I want to be the first. I don't understand how the club don't spend more money so I am a little bit grumpy with them.

"But with the position like we were in the past, because we spent a lot, now six teams have to win the Champions League and Premier Leagues and FA Cups because they have spent more in the last five years.

"This is a fact. You can say opinions like 'you played good' or 'you played bad' - we can agree or disagree but those are facts.

"Good luck to the six teams that are in front of us in net spend over the last five years. Good luck, we are waiting.”

Guardiola, however, is known for his sarcastic responses to media questions, and his latest quip could be tongue-in-cheek.

The City boss also oversaw a mass exodus of stars in the summer, with Jack Grealish, Ederson, Ilkay Gundogan and Manuel Akanji among the high-profile departures.

Kyle Walker was allowed to leave in a cut-price deal while a plethora of young stars were farmed out on loan.

City spent £152m last summer, ranking seventh for the close-season window net-spenders with £99m.

Arsenal topped the table with £246m, while Liverpool’s £228m had them second.

Manchester United were next with £148m, with Tottenham fourth with £145m.

Sunderland and Everton completed the top six ahead of City.

Over the last five years, City rank second for total transfer spending in the Premier League, according to Transfermarkt’s figures.

Guardiola’s side have laid out £950m on players since 2021, second to Chelsea, who eclipsed £1.5billion.

Man United were just £10m shy of City in third, while Spurs were fourth with £861m.

Arsenal completed the top five on £855m.