A new season, but the same old Pep Guardiola.
Facing reporters the day after Manchester City’s £100m purchase of Jack Grealish and the shock announcement that Lionel Messi is set to leave Barcelona, there was plenty to talk about.
He talked down the £100m price tag for Grealish by explaining that £60m had been offset by the sale of existing players, so Grealish only really cost £40m!
Next question, Harry Kane. Are Manchester City going to buy him, he was asked. ‘If Tottenham don’t want to negotiate, it’s finished,’ he replied. That’s not a ‘no’ then.
And finally on Messi – ‘The most extraordinary player I have ever seen in my life’.
So will he be coming to City? ‘We have given the No 10 shirt to Grealish,’ said Pep. That’s not a ‘no’ then!