Pep Guardiola has told prospective Manchester City transfer targets it is up to them if they want to sign for the club this summer.
In a 735-word statement released on Monday morning, the Premier League listed more than 100 rules they accused City of breaching. Guardiola then claimed on Friday that the other 19 clubs in the top-flight had been the driving force behind the 115 charges the Etihad club had been hit with.
Since the Premier League’s statement dropped, there has been speculation that City could be relegated if they are found guilty of a significant number of charges. But Guardiola protested the club's innocence ahead of Sunday’s game against Aston Villa at the Etihad.
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But the charges could have huge implications on City in this summer’s transfer market. One player who both City and Liverpool have been linked with in recent months is Jude Bellingham.
The battle to sign the Borussia Dortmund star this summer is already set to be the most intriguing of the transfer window. As well as City and the Reds, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Chelsea have been linked with the England international.
And when asked about the summer transfer window, Guardiola said: "We have to recruit Paul Dickov. I will recruit Paul Dickov, no problem, our fans will be happy.
"If the players want to come, more than delighted, if they don’t want to come, ok, don’t come. We play with what we are."
Before he added: "I want to convince them that what we have done we have done it, they won’t remove it. We have to defend our position, on the pitch is the only way to do it, what we have done all the time.”
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