After winning a sixth Premier League title, Manchester City are - once again - looking to strengthen their already star-studded squad ahead of the new campaign.
They have already acquired a world-class striker in Erling Haaland, with the former Borussia Dortmund star completing his £51 million move earlier last week.
Ending a nearly two-year long search for Sergio Agüero's replacement, the Norwegian is currently operating at almost a goal per game and will add even more firepower to the league's most prolific forward line.
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Attentions have now turned to who else may walk through the Etihad Stadium front doors, with Leeds United's Kalvin Phillips and Brighton's Marc Cucurella the most heavily linked with moves to the North West.
However, speaking on a recent Dr. Football Podcast, Manchester City's CEO may have caused a rethink amongst the footballing media.
Ferran Soriano - who joined in 2012 - was discussing a whole host of topics about the club and the City Football Group network as a whole.
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One particular talking point was City's summer transfer and if they may look to some of Barcelona's blossoming talents when assessing the market.
Between 2003 and 2008, Soriano also spent time on the board at the Catalan giants, so was asked if he looked on them more favourably in negotiations.
“No. We have a normal commercial relationship with Barcelona, we sold them a player six months ago - Ferran Torres," the club's CEO began.
"If we have to do business, we will do it, but the reality is that we are starting from a position of strength."
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Ferran Soriano went on to discuss where Manchester City are looking to strengthen this summer and revealed the club will only be bringing in one more player in a key position.
"The current squad is very good."
"We need to change only what we need to change and we need to change two things: We need a striker - we have it - and we need a replacement for Fernandinho."
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He continued, "We have one, Rodri, but we need another because the season is very long. So we’re only looking at these two players. So at Barcelona, there is no striker and no holding midfielder."
"All these players you mention (Gavi, Pedri, Ansu Fati) are very good players, but we have these positions more than covered."
"Not only with top players, experienced players that we have, but others that are coming through like Palmer or McAtee - these are very young, English players with a bright future. The same bright future as the players you mention from Barcelona.”
Blues supporters will certainly be buoyed to hear the club trust in the current crop of youth talent to produce the goods next season.
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However, the admission of only looking to sign a defensive midfielder this summer will throw a potential deal for Brighton's Marc Cucurella into doubt.
Topics: Barcelona, Manchester City, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Pep Guardiola, Premier League, Football, Transfers
Harry Siddall