Manchester City to open contract talks with Pep Guardiola about extending his deal – report

Manchester City are set to open talks with manager Pep Guardiola this summer about extending his contract after just one year at the Etihad Stadium, according to Simon Mullock of the Sunday Mirror.

Despite a trophy-less debut campaign in England, Blues bosses are fully behind Pep and are showing that this summer by funding one of the most expensive spending sprees ever in order to give the Catalan a squad capable of challenging on all fronts.

Guardiola only signed a three-year deal last year, but there is a feeling within City that he sees the job as a long-term project, explaining why he has requested so many young players, such as Gabriel Jesus, Leroy Sané, John Stones and Bernardo Silva.

And the belief within the Etihad corridors of power is that Pep will want to be in charge when his new-look side reaches its peak in four of fives years’ time.

The Sunday Mirror reports that City hope to wrap up deals for Bernardo Silva’s former Monaco team-mates Benjamin Mendy and Fabinho, as well as Benfica goalkeeper Ederson Moraes.

From the Premier League, Kyle Walker of Tottenham is said to be closing in on his expected move to City, while there is still interest in Arsenal superstar Alexis Sanchez, who it is claimed would prefer to join City over Bayern Munich.

Mullock claims that the arrival of Bernardo Silva has not altered Pep’s determination to reunite with Alexis, who he worked with at Barcelona, and the thought of the 28-year-old linking up with City’s existing attacking options would terrify rivals.

It isn’t just Guardiola who may be around for the long haul either, with chief executive Ferran Soriano purchasing a luxury home just off Deansgate in the city centre. It is clear that there is a long-term vision at Man City and club chiefs want Pep to spearhead it for a long time.