Guardiola wants new striker at Man City as January approach emerges

Paul Macdonald

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:47 CDT
• 4 min read

Pep Guardiola has expressed his desire for Manchester City to sign a prolific striker in the summer.

Man City will be losing club legend Sergio Aguero when he leaves, with Barcelona the forward’s expected destination.

READ MORE: Pep explains how long Aguero can play

The Premier League champions have thrived this season even without Aguero, who has had a succession of injuries.

But Guardiola has explained the benefits of having a prolific striker amid reports linking Man City with Harry Kane and Erling Haaland.

Lionel Messi, who is out of contract with Barca at the end of the season, has also been linked with City.

Man City: Premier League top scorers

The latest words from Guardiola come after reports emerged that Man City had already made an approach for Kane in January, which was rebuffed.

Kane has reportedly told Tottenham he wants to leave in recent weeks, with City, Chelsea and Man Utd expected to pursue him.

That means an approach may be more likely to succeed this time, even though Spurs are still expected to demand an enormous price-tag with England captain Kane on a long-term contract.

“I’d love to have a striker who got 50 goals a season, honestly,” Guardiola told reporters.

“At the same time, I don’t like to put all the pressure on one player.

“In Barcelona, Lionel Messi, every season since he was born, scored 50 a season.

“Thierry Henry scored a lot in the first season and Samuel Eto’o scored a lot – what a striker.

“When you are to win titles, especially the Premier League, with just one guy you won’t win it.

“You need more – and the statistics speak for themselves.

“You need three guys with more than 10, scoring 12 or 15, to be competitive.

“But when you have a guy who can get 25 to 30 it helps a lot, honestly.”

Man City are at home to Everton on Sunday and then face Chelsea in the Champions League final next week.