Pep Guardiola has reportedly told key figures responsible for transfers at Manchester City that he wants three new signings this summer - and that's not even counting Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish.
Having coasted to a third Premier League title in four seasons, the champions have been linked with several moves already during the summer window.
Indeed, despite Guardiola's public insistence that the club need to look after their finances like anyone else, they are thought to be front-runners to sign the England captain Harry Kane from Tottenham, while it's also been suggested that City are willing to splash out £100 million on Grealish, too.
Even before getting down to business with Villa over the potential sale of their talisman, sources close to the club have claimed that Guardiola wants a central defender, a left-back, and a striker to replace Sergio Aguero.
Perhaps the most surprising of those would-be requirements is centre-back, given how rejuvenated England international John Stones looked alongside newcomer Ruben Dias throughout last season.
But there is, however, method behind that particular standpoint.
Speaking on Reach PLC's Transfer Window podcast, signings expert Ian McGarry said: "Along with Harry Kane as a target for Manchester City, it is the case that they are looking in central defence to augment what was a very impressive performance in their Premier League-winning season.
"Speaking to sources at the club, they have opted to strengthen from a position of strength.
"Therefore, they have identified - and Guardiola has asked for - a striker, a central defender and a left-back.
"City have spent in excess of £150 million on central defenders. They are now definitely trying to sell one [Aymeric Laporte] and they are marketing him aggressively in European football.
"Despite the fact he is currently starring for England at the Euros, they are not necessarily confident about another [John Stones]."
As always, McGarry was joined on the transfer podcast by Duncan Castles.
He said: "We should also add on top of that list they want Jack Grealish and are prepared to go to similar levels as they are offering for Harry Kane to get him out of Aston Villa, who will try and hold on to the player.
"They know that it is difficult when you have Manchester City coming in for him."
Castles added: "This is something City are working on at the moment - and part of it is driven by Aymeric Laporte, with Pep Guardiola finally realising that he wasn't the centre-back he built him up to be and having a centre back who is good at passing the ball with his left foot doesn't necessarily win you the Champions League if that centre-back makes errors in key games and gets caught out positionally.
"On top of this is a consideration that while the John Stones and Ruben Dias partnership worked impressively well last season, with John Stones dragging his career back from the point where City would have been prepared to sell him, there is a sense that this might not work indefinitely.
"Not only do they need another body in to replace Laporte, in an ideal world they are thinking; 'We want a top centre back in, in case the Stones resurgence and performance does not last and we need someone to pair with Dias going forward.
"Let's face it, City have never had any hesitation when it comes to spending big on centre-backs."
Which player would you most like City to target this summer? Let us know in the comments section below.
