Josep Guardiola can live with Ferran Torres’ imminent departure to Barcelona. The Manchester City manager only wants motivated players in his selection and therefore does not stop a transfer. Despite the Citizens Already not well in the attackers, Guardiola does not think he will have to get a replacement for Torres.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona and Manchester City have agreed on a transfer of 55 million euros, plus possible bonuses worth 10 million euros. Guardiola does not want to confirm anything yet.. “Txiki (Begiristain, sporting director of Manchester City, ed.) has not told me anything yet. I know they are negotiating. I think they are close, that’s all. Txiki has haven’t called or texted me yet that it’s over.”
Guardiola nevertheless addresses the Torres issue. The Spanish coach never thought of lying down for the transfer, he says. “I want happiness for my players. If you are not happy you have to leave. We are not a club where the director and president say ‘no’ if you want to leave. If you think you will be happier elsewhere, you should go. Careers are short, one day it will be over.”
“If Torres wants to leave, it will not be a disappointment at all,” said Guardiola. The former Barcelona coach adds “it is almost impossible to say no” to his former club. With Torres leaving, Guardiola’s attacking options will become even more limited than they already are. Only Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden remain, with only Jesus as ‘pure’ striker. Despite this, Guardiola does not want a replacement for Torres: “No, we are not going to sign an attacker in January.”