Manchester City has won the appeal against the two-year Champions League ban handed down by UEFA after the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced their punishment to a £10 million fine.
Earlier today, Manchester City’s successful appeal against their Champions League ban has given Guardiola the green light to go ahead with his summer transfer plans.
The 49-year-old has already made it clear the club needs to invest in their squad in the upcoming window to give themselves the best chance of competing with Liverpool come next season.
While the ban would not have quite affected their spending abilities, it would have in no doubt reduced the size of the available kitty and targets may have thought twice about joining without the prospect of European football.
Though Guardiola has a few obstacles in his way, City can put into use their riches to capitalize on a market hit hard by the unprecedented COVID-19.
The key to his strategy will be to replace some of the old guards with a central defender top of their list as other stars have entered their twilight years.
“Some players need to be replaced.” Said Guardiola.
“In some areas, we will have to do this, not for the lack of quality but for the absence of Vinny and David, while Fernandinho and Sergio have one year left of their contracts”.
“I don’t know if they will extend or not. Some players have to be replaced. But it’s not a disaster or a bad thing. It’s part of football for the age, for the normal situation and the circumstances”.
Kalidou, Napoli’s 29-year-old is among City’s list of targets although he may not represent the best option for the club’s future.