Pep Guardiola has opened up on Manchester City’s failure to sign Harry Kane last summer ahead of the game against Tottenham.

Manchester City’s pursuit of Harry Kane was one of the major highlights of the 2021 summer transfer window. Reeling from the loss of Sergio Aguero to Barcelona, the reigning English champions were looking to sign an able replacement in the form of the Tottenham superstar, who was frustrated with his own club’s shortcomings.

However, the transfer did not materialise as Tottenham refused to negotiate for their star player, before Kane himself announced his desire to remain in North London for at least another season. Spurs even opened their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 win over Manchester City, though Kane was missing in action.

This Saturday, though, the England frontman will face Manchester City for the first time this season since his botched move to the Etihad last summer. Ahead of the game, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has opened up on the striker’s failed transfer, offering more clarity on the saga.

“We tried [to sign Kane], but it was far away to be done because Tottenham was clear this is not going to happen,” said Guardiola, as quoted by Sky Sports. “And when it happens two, three, four times, it’s over.”

Back on Manchester City's agenda for January? (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
What does the future hold for Harry Kane? (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

The Catalan went on to suggest that he has no complaints with the Manchester City board despite failing to land the England international. “I never was, in my 11 or 12 years, disappointed in what the club cannot do in the transfer market,” he said. “I’ve never created a fire here because I represent the club and the club is always beyond myself by far.”

“Now you can say ‘Harry Kane didn’t come and everything is going well’, but at the time I didn’t know it. When we lost to Spurs and Leicester in the Community Shield. And I don’t know what will happen in the next few weeks.”

Guardiola’s team has indeed done well without a striker and are currently leading the Premier League table quite comfortably. Despite losing Aguero and Ferran Torres, the Citizens are the joint-highest scorers in the division with a total of 61 goals, tied with second-placed Liverpool.

Without a central striker, several players deserve credit for sharing the scoring burden, with Raheem Sterling, in particular, emerging as the top-scorer with ten goals. Guardiola lavished praise on the former Liverpool winger regarding his recent return to form, stating: “It’s what Raheem has done (for) many, many years becoming, in terms of stats in terms of national team, a key player. And for us, for me personally, I am very glad he is back to his best because we need him.”

One would imagine both Sterling and Kane may play a vital role as Manchester City lock horns with Tottenham Hotspur this coming weekend in what could be an important game for both teams.

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