Evening Standard
·17 Januari 2025
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·17 Januari 2025
Man City are thought to be close to adding reinforcements to their squad
Pep Guardiola has praised Manchester City's owners with the club seemingly on course to seal a triple transfer.
Reports are suggesting that City are closing in on deals for Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov, Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush and Palmeiras centre-back Vitor Reis.
Furthermore, Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso has been linked, potentially as a replacement for Kyle Walker who has asked to leave the club.
So far this month, Guardiola has refused to discuss any incoming deals, citing a reluctance to do so whilst there hasn't been an official announcement by the club.
That remained the Spaniard's stance in the pre-Ipswich press conference on Friday, though he did allude to work being done behind the scenes.
When asked by a reporter if the deals are another show of support from the club's owners, Guardiola said: "They have shown it, listen when the players come it's not because I decide, it's the club that bring the players here being with his mates or with this manager, it's for a process for the club.
"The club has to decide, we have to change some players or the manager. And that's why they decide," he added.
"The trust has always been there and I think in the last two months, month and a half in another environment, I would not be here! That's for sure!"
Linked: Omar Marmoush is reportedly set to become a Man City player.
AFP via Getty Images
One deal Guardiola did discuss was Erling Haaland signing a new contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2034.
“When one player decides to sign this type of contract it’s because he wants to show how he wants to be here," Guardiola said. "It’s the trust of the club to Erling – the club knows perfectly how professional he is. His commitment every day and every game to show his talent.
"And from him because in 10 years we never know what’s going to happen, it’s a long time. Always in a short career what will happen will happen. He proved what he wanted. And he has trust in the club.
"I think what happened is that he loves the club, the people he’s around, the Premier League, he loves to be here and I think he visualised that there is no better place he could be right now or the next 10 years I would say."