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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
James Robson

Pep Guardiola confident Man City squad could cope with potential transfer ban

Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City’s quadruple-chasing squad is good enough to cope with a transfer ban.

The Premier League champions face the threat of a two-window embargo if found guilty of a series of allegations into the signing of minors and Financial Fair Play violations.

They refute any claims of wrong-doing, but are the subject of separate investigations by Fifa, Uefa, the FA and the Premier League.

Guardiola intends to spend heavily again this summer, with a holding midfielder, left-back and central defender all on his wanted list.

But he is adamant City would be able to handle a ban if they suffer the same fate as Chelsea, who will not be able to sign players until the end of next season, following a Fifa ban.

Despite considering moves for Tanguy Ndombele, Ben Chilwell and Matthijs de Ligt, the Catalan says he would be happy to stick with the same squad next season.

“It’s good, really good,” he said. “Of course I’d be okay.”

Meanwhile Guardiola refused to be drawn on fresh claims City would be served a Fifa ban within days.

“I answered five, six or seven questions last week,” he said. “I cannot be the right guy to talk about it.

"The club have the processes. They don’t call and explain what they are doing.

“I’m concerned with my job and what will happen will happen.”

City will be without John Stones, Vincent Kompany, Kevin de Bruyne and Benjamin Mendy for their FA Cup quarter-final with Swansea on Saturday.

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