Manchester City CAN’T afford to buy Harry Kane or Erling Haaland this summer, reveals Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has revealed Manchester City are finding it ‘impossible’ to sign a striker this summer because the Premier League champions ‘cannot afford it’.

City have been heavily linked with a move for Harry Kane and have had a £100million bid rejected for the Tottenham and England striker while also being credited with a significant interest in Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Haaland.

Guardiola and the City hierarchy have been targeting a new striker following the departure of the club’s all-time record goalscorer Sergio Aguero, who joined Barcelona on a free transfer earlier this summer.

City have been linked with moves for Harry Kane (left) and Erling Haaland (right) this summer

But speaking to Catalan network TV3, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss insisted ‘there is more of a chance’ no new addition will come in to replace the Argentine because billionaire-backed City have also been affected financially by Covid-19. 

‘At the prices (quoted) we are not going to buy any strikers. It is impossible, we cannot afford it,’ Guardiola said.

‘All clubs are struggling financially, we are not an exception. We have Gabriel (Jesus) and Ferran (Torres) who have been incredible in this position.

‘We have young players in the academy and we play many times with a false nine. There is more of a chance we aren’t going to buy a striker for next season.’

City are looking for a replacement for Sergio Aguero, who joined Barcelona last month

But billionaire Sheikh Mansour-backed City are not exempt from the financial impact of Covid, Guardiola insists

Spurs are keen to hang on to homegrown star Kane, 27, even after his bombshell announcement in May that he would like to leave the north London side.

The club’s new director of football Fabio Paratici has also vowed to keep Kane at the club.

Those comments were welcomed by the England captain who admitted that while he has not spoken to Paratici or new Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo, he still feels ‘loved’ by his current side.

‘Of course as a player you want to be wanted, you want to feel like you’re loved, which I do,’ he told talkSPORT.

Guardiola insisted he would have to put faith in Gabriel Jesus (left) and Ferran Torres (right)

Spurs’ new director of football Fabio Paratici has vowed to keep Kane at the club this summer

‘I haven’t had the chance to talk to any of these people yet. I’m sure we’ll get to know each other after the tournament, have a phone call or two once I get a week or two of holiday.

‘To get praise from big people from football is great, it gives you confidence, it gives you motivation, so of course it’s nice to hear.’

Meanwhile, recent reports suggest Haaland is expecting to complete a move to Chelsea from Bundesliga giants Dortmund this summer.

Reports suggest Norway star Haaland expects to join Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea this summer

Sportsmail understands the Blues opened talks over a move for the Norwegian at the beginning of June – even though the full cost of a deal could be close to £170m. 

Haaland is one of the hottest properties in Europe after scoring 41 goals in 41 appearances over the course of the previous club campaign.

Sportsmail also understands that City are nevertheless confident of securing a £100m move for Jack Grealish once his involvement at Euro 2020 with England is complete, though Aston Villa are planning to offer him fresh terms. 

City begin their Premier League title defence on August 15 when they travel to Kane’s current employers Spurs.

City are nevertheless confident of securing a £100m move for Aston Villa star Jack Grealish