PEP GUARDIOLA could be handed a £300million transfer warchest this summer to help close the gap on Premier League rivals Liverpool, according to reports.
The Spaniard will prioritise bolstering the centre of defence with Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake the club’s top target.
Manchester City are making an approach to sign Nathan AkeCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
The Dutchman is certain to leave the Cherries at the end of the season as they sit on the brink of relegation to the Championship.
Guardiola is a key admirer of the 25-year-old and it is believed they could lure him away from Bournemouth for £40million.
Last summer, he was valued at around £80m by the South Coast club – but if they do go down at the weekend they may have to accept around half of that.
Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly also remains an option but there are doubts over the huge fee involved for the 29-year-old Senegalese international.
Guardiola will also look to land a forward player and eyes a deal to bring Ferran Torres to the Etihad.
Valencia are willing to cash in on their asset if they receive a bid in the region of £39m.
Torres, 20, is seen as an ideal replacement for Leroy Sane who left to seal his dream move to Bayern Munich earlier this month.
Torres is down to the final year of his contract at the Mestalla — but he has a buy-out clause set just below the £40m mark.
The two deals will only dent Guardiola’s whopping transfer budget which was revealed by the Athletic’s Sam Lee.
Valencia forward Ferran Torres remains a target in attackCredit: Getty Images – Getty
He said on a podcast: “I’ve heard a crazy figure that City are willing to spend £300m this summer.”
City have also been linked with a move for Brazilian wonderkid Diego Rosa from Gremio.
The fee will be around £4.5m to snare the teen, but it could rise to £13.5m with add ons.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
