Guardiola still seeking centre-back in hectic transfer window

Pep Guardiola is looking to enter the new campaign with five central defenders in his ranks.

Vincent Kompany, John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi, and local lad Tosin Adarabioyo have all featured in Manchester City's pre-season programme in the United States, but the expected departure of Eliaquim Mangala is encouraging Guardiola to dip back into the market.

"We don't have too much more to spend but we are going to see," the Spanish manager told BBC Sport's Simon Stone, revealing the club "will try" to strengthen at centre-half.

Although the defence has already been strengthened by bringing in full-backs Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy, and Danilo for nearly £125 million, the usage of a back-three has perhaps exposed a lack of depth centrally.

Stones had Kompany and Otamendi on either side of him from the first whistle of Wednesday's impressive 4-1 dismantling of Real Madrid, but beyond Adarabioyo and the supposedly outgoing Mangala, only 17-year-olds Tyreke Wilson and Joel Latibeaudiere represented backup.

Considering Kompany's injury issues in recent campaigns and the at-times dubious partnership of Stones and Otamendi, this could prove scant cover across domestic and continental ventures - particularly if a back-three is deployed regularly.

Elsewhere in City's summer business, goalkeeper Ederson Moraes, Portuguese attacking midfielder Bernardo Silva, and 19-year-old defensive midfielder Douglas Luiz were brought in. The total spend in the close season stands at approximately £212.5 million.

There could be more swoops aside from a centre-back. City is still linked with Kylian Mbappe despite apparently distancing itself from a world-record bid worth around £160 million for Monaco's teenage striker. Speculation also mounted that Alexis Sanchez was trying to force a move to the Etihad Stadium when the Arsenal hitman reportedly called in "sick" ahead of his anticipated return to training Sunday.