City, or more precisely Mansour and Khaldoon, appear to be explaining to the world that they are not going to be bent over to sustain their money-making machine called CFG. Rather, they are going to simply make certain the main team (Man City) has the resources to maintain the CL position, while winning “titles” (silverware) on a regular basis. That might entail one major purchase per season, as this management team did at Barca, but sustaining the model with extravagant purchases at this point is not in the cards.
Pep wanted a new defence. Khaldoon gave it to him. Pep delivered him a Premier League and a metric shitton of records. They also gave him the high quality producer he needed to give some much needed rotation for (and the kindling necessary to light a fire under) Sterling and Sané.
We know Pep needs a defensive midfielder/centre half who can protect the middle of the park. Sadly, so does the whole fucking world, so they are trying to extort us...clubs, players and agents alike. Pep and Txiki are looking for a certain KIND of player, not just technically and physically, but emotionally and interpersonally. This is why Laporte was worth a revisit...Pep knew he wanted him and knew he had the personality Pep needed.
Look around the squad...not a single malcontent...and if you become one? Buh-bye!
So, the individual needed to be the puzzle piece that fits exactly into Pep’s jigsaw is going to be difficult to both identify and acquire. And, City are in no mood to be trifled with. If we are, then we will go with the young blood we are nurturing. We have enough, and with the supporting cast around them, it might even be the best course of action...unless we find EXACTLY what we want.