Pep Guardiola questions intentions of nine Premier League teams and admits summer transfer doubts

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has once again questioned the actions of nine Premier League clubs, as the Catalan also accepted that recent charges for alleged financial breaches could hamper the Blues’ transfer plans.

The Premier league champions face Aston Villa on Sunday, the Blues’ first match since Monday’s charges for alleged breaches of league financial regulations.

City, who strenuously deny the allegations, were hit with 115 charges for incidents over a nine-year period following a four-year investigation by the Premier League on Monday.

The Blues face the prospects of a points deduction or even expulsion should they be found guilty for charges relating to financial information, profitability and sustainability, player and manager remuneration, failure to cooperate and UEFA regulations.

The charges come less than three years since Manchester City successfully overturned a two-year ban from European competitions at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Nine Premier League teams wrote a controversial letter ahead of proceedings at CAS attempting to have City kicked out of the Champions League.

Ahead of this weekend’s match, Pep Guardiola once again questioned the intentions of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Leicester, Wolves, Burnley and Newcastle.

“What these nine teams has done. I said before what happened last Monday, yeah? What these nine teams has done I don’t forget it. These nine teams. And I don’t forget what they have done.

“They want the position [for] the Champions League for the big amount of money to pay the stadiums they built, so it’s okay,” said a passionate Guardiola.

The Catalan also admitted some doubts surrounding the summer transfer window, as the charges risk impacting the Blues’ plans in the market.

“If we have to recruit Paul Dickov I will recruit Paul Dickov. No problem. Our fans would be happy.

“If the players want to come we’re more than delighted. Don’t want to come? Okay, don’t come. So we play with what we are.”

Manchester City could move within three points of Arsenal, who they play at the Emirates on Wednesday, with a win over Villa at the Etihad on Sunday.

The Gunners were held to a 1-1 draw against Brentford on Saturday, courtesy of an Ivan Toney equaliser in the 74th minute.