Pep Guardiola confirms two Man City transfer decisions before Club World Cup

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has spoken about the club’s squad planning ahead of next season amid speculation over stars about to enter the final year of their contracts

Pep Guardiola has confirmed Manchester City goalkeepers Ederson and Stefan Ortega will remain with the club next season. The Catalan coach revealed the Premier League side appear unlikely to dip into the market to improve their options in net.

Ederson and Ortega have shared the net at the Etihad Stadium for a number of years, with the former taking the no.1 slot for Guardiola’s side. The duo are both set to enter the final year of their contracts however, increasing speculation that a change could soon be on the cards in goal at City.

City have little time for rest before they are called upon for Club World Cup duty. Their first match takes place against Wydad AC on June 18.

There is an opportunity to move for new players, with a transfer window open until June 10 but Guardiola appears content with his options for the moment. Though goalkeeper was an area of discussion with the club’s hierarchy.

“We have spoken about the situation regarding squad planning and the two goalkeepers we have will continue,” Guardiola told reporters at a golf event in Catalonia on Monday.

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That did not prevent the ex-Bayern Munich boss being taken to task over Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia. The shotstopper saw an approach by Arsenal last summer, while Barcelona appear to be in pole position for his signature this year, despite reported interest from the Gunners and City.

“Joan Garcia is a really good goalkeeper, but City are linked with 500 players in every transfer window,” Guardiola said.

“He’s an Espanyol player and I don’t know what happen, but I’m told by the Espanyol guys [playing in the golf event] he’s an extraordinary goalkeeper. The references we have are very good.”

City are already intending on leaving at least two bodies at home for their Club World Cup adventure in the United States. Midfield star Mateo Kovacic is to undergo surgery after nursing a heel injury.

The Croatian will miss the tournament and be unavailable until the start of next season. Guardiola had hinted that the club were trying to manage the player’s injury when he left him out of the FA Cup final squad as a precaution.

The Manchester club are also said to have opted against including James McAtee in their squad. The 22-year-old will instead join up with England’s pre-tournament training squad ahead of the under-21s Euros in Slovakia.

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