From Jack Gaughan: Two names confirmed on Man City’s summer wish-list as Txiki Begiristain ploughs on with transfer plans

Manchester City sporting director Txiki Begiristain has ploughed on with work ahead of the summer transfer window, despite Premier League’s charges.

The English top-flight’s statement on alleged breaches of financial rules released in early February brought plenty of uncertainty among supporters, while City themselves were swift to bring across their feeling of confidence that there has been no such wrongdoing.

Manchester City are expected to continue their transfer business as planned too, with a number of high-profile arrivals and departures expected this summer as Pep Guardiola looks to refresh his squad for the next two years of his contract.

With uncertainty still looming over the likes of Bernardo Silva and club captain Ilkay Gundogan – whose contract runs until the end of the ongoing season – Manchester City are continuing to explore the market for possible midfield targets.

Two names have now been confirmed to be on City’s transfer wish-list, with both players expected to command transfer fees well in excess of £60 million and £110 million respectively.

Those details come as part of a bumper new update from The Mail’s Jack Gaughan, who reports that Manchester City’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain – in the days after the Premier League’s statement confirming charges on the club – was taking meetings with agents, focused on the summer market.

It is stated that Manchester City have been left with the impression that the view of them from possible transfer targets has not altered, despite the uncertainty surrounding their longer-term future amid the ongoing legal battle with the Premier League.

Looking ahead to what is expected to be an exciting summer transfer window, the Mail report that Manchester City have ‘a significant wedge of money’ to spend on new faces, with Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham and Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister among the central midfielders on their wish-list.

Both clubs are expected to demand ‘huge’ fees, while Manchester City will be well aware that they could face strong competition for both names, especially in regards to the England international – who is already commanding interest from Real Madrid and Liverpool.

Txiki Begiristain is also reportedly looking at wingers to offer Pep Guardiola more pace in his starting line-up – an element of City’s attacking game that has been scrutinised this season, especially after the sales of Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling, and Leroy Sane in recent markets.

City are set to have a reunion with Leroy Sane in April, as Pep Guardiola’s side take on Bayern Munich in a UEFA Champions League quarter-final double-header, with on-loan defender Joao Cancelo also eligible to feature for Thomas Tuchel’s side against his parent club.

Manchester City are looking to win the Champions League for the first time in their history, but face the ultimate test in their potential route to an Istanbul final, with the winners of Real Madrid against Chelsea awaiting the winners of City against Bayern in the semi-finals.

That test against the Bavarian club comes amidst an intense pursuit of a Premier League title with Arsenal, while an FA Cup semi-final date at Wembley Stadium against Sheffield United is also packed into a chaotic April schedule.