Pep Guardiola refused to answer questions surrounding reports Manchester City is closing in on a deal for Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland. Reports have suggested City are ready to meet Haaland’s €75million (£64m) release clause. And that Haaland wants to join the reigning Premier League champions this summer. City failed in a protracted effort to prise Harry Kane away from Tottenham before the start of this season. While forward Ferran Torres departed to join Barcelona in January. Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez have carried the bulk of the goalscoring burden as the City bid for a Premier League and Champions League double. In contrast, Gabriel, whose contract expires at the end of next season, has also been linked with a move away. Haaland’s arrival would see City atone for missing out on Kane by acquiring another of the most feared centre-forwards in world football. But when asked about reports of them nearing the signing of the Dortmund forward. Guardiola told a media conference ahead of Wednesday’s game with Brighton and Hove Albion: “No answer to your question. I have another concern: to think what will happen in this club next season.” “We are playing without a striker. “For many years, I don’t think about transfer windows, especially when we have incredible things to play for.” Haaland has scored 25 goals in 24 games in all competitions for Marco Rose’s team. He is outperforming his expected goals tally of 22.2. However, Haaland’s transfer will be an exciting prospect, but Pep is very pedantic with tactics that may deter him from joining the Etihad Stadium. Likewise, for more football news like this, click here.Manchester City is nearing a deal for Erling Haaland, but Pep Guardiola is not focused on transfer speculation.
Pressed on the question of whether he needed to add a striker to his ranks, Guardiola replied:
