Man City: Pep Guardiola hints at new signings after latest exit as door opens for Joao Cancelo return

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has offered a cryptic response to the possibility of his club signing a new forward before the transfer window shuts.

Julian Alvarez’s exit to Atletico Madrid, Kalvin Phillips’ move to Ipswich and Oscar Bobb’s injury until the New Year have left City’s squad lighter compared to last season, although Savinho has arrived from Girona for £21million.

Barcelona’s Pedri and Real Madrid winger Rodrygo have featured loosely in gossip columns related to Man City but Guardiola looks set to hand more prominent roles to youngsters such as James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly, who both started last weekend’s Community Shield victory.

“Maybe, maybe not,” Guardiola replied when asked in his pre-game press conference if he wants a new signing.

“We’ll see. I’m really pleased with the squad I have, I know the vibe is: ‘We have to sign, we have to sign’. We’ll see. I cannot answer you right now.”

One player who could make a return to Guardiola’s plans is Joao Cancelo, who is training with the first-team after returning from a spell at Barcelona.

Portuguese full-back Cancelo fell out with the coach 18 months ago and was sent out on loan to Bayern Munich and Barcelona, although Guardiola admitted a reprieve “can happen” and that no transfer enquiries have been made for the 30-year-old.

“He’s training with us,” Guardiola confirmed. “We’ll see, maybe he’ll stay, maybe loan, I don’t know yet.

“He’s been doing really well in training, he loves to play football and loves to train. We’ll see.”

City begin their Premier League season on Sunday away to Chelsea, a game which Rodri will miss.