Manchester City transfer plans face key Pep Guardiola caveat amid summer exit talk | OneFootball

Uncertainty over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City future is impacting negotiations with the club’s summer transfer targets, as per a new report.

Guardiola is expected to indicate his intentions over the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium to club bosses in the coming weeks, having gone away to mull over his future after leading City to Carabao Cup glory at Wembley 10 days ago.

Executives at the Etihad Stadium have formally approached the Catalan to gauge whether he will stay put next season as director of football Hugo Viana and co look to progress a remake of the first-team squad this summer.

While he has another year on his current deal, Guardiola has been strongly linked with an exit from the Etihad Stadium this summer, though the 55-year-old has publicly maintained that he is under contract and is not thinking about leaving anytime soon.

Man City transfer plans for the summer

City are planning for another busy transfer window as Viana builds a squad for his second full season at the club since replacing Txiki Begiristain.

The Blues are prioritising the recruitment of a world-class midfielder ahead of the new season as they brace for Bernardo Silva’s increasingly inevitable exit and plan contract talks with Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.

Outgoings will also play a vital role in determining City’s transfer business, with many of Nathan Ake, James Trafford, John Stones, Mateo Kovacic, Kalvin Phillips, Manuel Akanji and Jack Grealish expected to leave in the upcoming window.

While many incoming deals will likely push beyond this summer’s FIFA World Cup, bosses at the Etihad Stadium want to make as much headway in negotiations in key deals as they can before transfer targets jet off across the Atlantic for the marquee tournament.

Report: City transfer deals facing Guardiola future caveat

talkSPORT have reported that City’s transfer targets are considering the ongoing uncertainty over Guardiola’s future in negotiations with club executives.

However, there is no suggestion that prospective new signings will turn down Manchester City should Guardiola leave the club at the end of this season, with the club relaxed and confident of contingency plans in place should the Catalan move on this summer.

Viana and co are expected to provide assurances to players of interest and their respective camps in the coming weeks and months as they also gain clarity over Guardiola’s plans.