´Everybody knows the situation´ – Guardiola gagged as Man City close in on Haaland deal

Pep Guardiola would not confirm that Manchester City will be signing Erling Haaland, but he teased that “everybody knows the situation”.

Haaland has been linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium from Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season, with City said to be ready to trigger the striker’s release clause, believed to be around €75million (£64.2m).

Speaking at a media conference ahead of his team’s trip to Wolves in the Premier League, Guardiola explained he could not talk about any transfer, but did say it was because the two clubs involved told him not to.

“Everybody knows the situation,” Guardiola told reporters. “I shouldn’t talk because I don’t like to talk about the future or next season.

“Dortmund and Man City told me I’m not allowed to say anything until it’s completely done. We’ll have time to talk.

“I’d love to talk, they tell me don’t say anything until the legal actions [are done]. We’ll have time to talk, not because I don’t want to.”

Norwegian striker Haaland has scored 85 goals in 88 games for Dortmund, though City have not exactly struggled for goals themselves this season, hitting five against Newcastle United on Sunday, meaning they have now bagged 89 goals in 35 Premier League games, more than anyone else.

5+ – @ManCity have scored five or more goals in a Premier League game for the 30th time since Pep Guardiola took over in 2016-17, which is more than the second and third most instances by teams combined:

30 – Manchester City
14 – Liverpool
13 – Spurs

Carnage. pic.twitter.com/qz1XE9qtrg

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 8, 2022

Guardiola said new players can always help his team to improve, whether it comes in the form of transfers or through the youth set-up, and insisted he approves of the steps the club are taking.

“We have I guess new players in the squad, some from the academy come up next season,” he said. “New players always helps [us] to be a stronger team. But not one defender or striker will solve our defensive or scoring problems.

“The club always has to have a vision for the future. The decisions the club makes I am aware and supportive 100 per cent.”

The 5-0 win against Newcastle took City back to the top of the table, leading Liverpool by three points ahead of both teams’ midweek fixtures.

Jurgen Klopp’s Reds were travelling to face Aston Villa on Tuesday before City’s game at Wolves on Wednesday, and Guardiola understands that the quality of Liverpool means the clash at Molineux is a final for his team.

“Nothing changes, we can’t affect what Liverpool do,” he said.

“Both teams have done another impressive season. We know what we have to do, we will try to be there. Tomorrow is a final for us, an opportunity to arrive in the last game here with the title in our hands. It’s massive for us.”

The City boss also confirmed that none of his injured players will return on Wednesday, with defenders Kyle Walker, John Stones and Ruben Dias not expected to play again this season.

“Nothing changed after the game against Newcastle,” Guardiola said. “We are who we are for the next three games with the players we have. We have problems in one department, the others will solve it.”