Guardiola makes WORLD RECORD Man City signing demand after €200m transfer spree

Manchester City are preparing for a mass squad overhaul this summer and reports in Spain have claimed that Pep Guardiola has already told the club which signing he wants in first.

City are ready to make wholesale changes and let no fewer than eight senior players leave, such as Kevin de Bruyne, John Stones and Jack Grealish, after their disastrous campaign so far.

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Guardiola’s side crashed out of the Champions League this week and face an uphill battle to qualify for next year’s tournament with the Citizens having a cushion of just a single point inside the top four.

Having spent more than €200 million players in January, City will continue splashing the cash in the summer and a goalkeeper is among their highest priorities, with Ederson set to leave.

Ederson has struggled for form and fitness this season and the Brazilian is expected to be a target for Saudi Pro League clubs as Guardiola seeks a new first-choice shot stopper.

And, according to Catalan outfit El Nacional, Guardiola has set his sights on Unai Simon, having reportedly asked City’s board to initiate contact to make the Athletic Bilbao shot stopper the successor to Ederson.

City could make world-record transfer for Simon

Simon has established himself as one of the standout goalkeepers in La Liga and for the Spanish national team, with his ability on the ball considered ‘essential’ for City.

Although City are said to retain an interest in other keepers such as Gregor Kobel or Mike Maignan, Simon is believed to be the option most convincing to Guardiola due to his experience and skillset.

However, Simon recently extended his contract in Bilbao until 2029 without including a buyout clause, meaning it would take an ‘astronomical’ amount to convince Athletic Club to sell.

Simon is likely to command a fee that could make him the most expensive goalkeeper of all time, surpassing the €80m that Athletic Bilbao received for Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea in 2018.

City are already set to miss out on one goalkeeping option in James Trafford, who is set to join Newcastle this summer despite the Premier League champions having a buy-back option on the Burnley star.