The line-up Pep Guardiola wants at Manchester City

The line-up Pep Guardiola wants at Manchester City

Pep Guardiola's announcement as the new Manchester City manager for next season while he is still at Bayern Munich is something out of the ordinary. Txiki Begiristain is happy to have got the ball rolling though, because his job is to construct a team that Pep will like and now the options are a lot better. Now he can make contact with players and they will know who will be in charge next season. The announcement makes things easier to rebuild a team to his taste. 

It's true that Pellegrini and Guardiola's philosophies are not opposing, but the Catalan wants to make his stamp on the side. There are many players who might not be needed, like Hart, Toure, Kolarov, Clichy, Demichelis, Managala, Sagna, Nasri and Fernandinho. At the same time, other players City have loaned out in Europe will also be considered too.

Guardiola has his way with transfers and he is already talking with Begiristain to work in this line. According to the Guardian, there is 200 million euros to spend. With this number, they could move for a true world class star, like Messi or Neymar from Barcelona or Douglas at Bayern Munich. 

The English press speak about these options but the truth is they would be tough for City to achieve. Messi, for example, would take a total investment of 450 million. Also, Guardiola doesn't always go back to pick at leftovers, Just in the case of Thiago. 

The priority for the coach is to get a new defence and goalkeeper. He is said to be looking at Bravo (15m), Laporte (40m), Stones (30m), Alaba (30m). The centre of the pitch could have a big change too, with just Silva staying. Guardiola may move for Verratti (60) and Pogba (80). There are other options too, with players like Gundogan, Modric and Dybala, but they don't seem especially likely.