Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola does not expect more signings

Pep Guardiola does not expect Manchester City to make any further signings before Thursday’s transfer deadline.

Riyad Mahrez arrived at the Etihad from Leicester City in a club record £60m deal earlier this summer, but City have otherwise failed to add major reinforcements to their first-team squad.

City missed out on primary midfield target Jorginho, who chose to reunite with former Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea.

Philippe Sandler, a young defender from PEC Zwolle, and Claudio Gomes, a teenage midfielder from Paris Saint-Germain, are the only new arrivals in addition to Mahrez.

Guardiola admitted after Sunday’s Community Shield that City lack an alternative to Fernandinho at the base of midfield, but now believes further signings are unlikely.

“I think we are not going to make any more signings,” he told Sky Sports, while previewing the new Premier League season on Tuesday night.

John Stones deputised in a deep-lying midfield role during Sunday’s Community Shield win over Chelsea, and Guardiola believes the centre-half is capable of covering the position.

“John for the qualities he has, the personality he has, he’s a tall guy, I think he can play there,” the City manager said.

“But I don't know because we have never tried before and we will see during the season.”