Pep Guardiola claims Borussia Dortmund spend huge sums on agent fees to bring in young talent

Manchester City host German club in Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday

Erling Braut Haaland had been on the radar of many of Europe's top clubs while at RB Salzburg before moving to Borussia Dortmund in January 2020. EPA

Haaland has developed into one of Europe's most potent finishers, and has scored almost 50 goals in his first 50 games for Dortmund. EPA

Jude Bellingham, right, moved to Signal Iduna Park from English club Birmingham City in July 2020 age 17. AFP

Jude Bellingham made his debut for England in a friendly against the Republic of Ireland at Wembley on 12 November, 2020. AFP

Jadon Sancho, right, has developed into one of Europe's best attacking wide players since joining Dortmund from Manchester City in August 2017. Reuters

Jadon Sancho, left, found first-team opportunities at Manchester City limited but is now a full England international. Reuters

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola claims Champions League opponents Borussia Dortmund pay agents huge sums to secure Europe's best young talent.

German club Dortmund have recruited some of the continent's finest fledglings in recent seasons, including Norway star Erling Braut Haaland from RB Salzburg, English midfielder Jude Bellingham from Birmingham City while they also prised forward Jadon Sancho away from City.

Guardiola's comments come after Haaland's agent, Mino Raiola, met La Liga clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid last week to discuss a potential summer move for the 20 year old.

Ahead of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg, Guardiola said: "If any one person in the city of Manchester knows Borussia Dortmund, it's me. About the culture of that club, the way they play.

"I will not find one single player at Dortmund without quality.

"They spent a lot of money on young players and pay a lot of money to agents to bring these players there because they have an incredible quality."

Ranked: the world's most valuable young footballers

Haaland was linked with a move to City after Sergio Aguero announced he would leave the English club at the end of the season, but Guardiola has cooled speculation by saying they were unlikely to prioritise a new striker.

Guardiola's side lead the Premier League by 14 points and host Dortmund on Tuesday.

They are also due to face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals and play Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup final later this month.