Kevin De Bruyne? Paul Pogba? Only thing certain for Man City is ‘big teams need to sign a big player’

The Chilean manager feels every big club can afford to splurge once atleast two years, given the financial fair play restrictions from Uefa.

Manuel Pellegrini, in dark blue, signed a few players when he took over in 2013 but now wants to get another big name added to his squad. Silvia Razgova / The National

Manuel Pellegrini has laid the groundwork for Manchester City to compete at the top end of the transfer market this summer, declaring it is essential they sign a world-class player.

City are expected to enter the bidding for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba and Wolfsburg playmaker Kevin de Bruyne, both of whom could cost at least £50 million (Dh274m).

The manager was frustrated that City were restricted in their buying last year, when they were limited to a £49 million net spend over 12 months by Uefa for Financial Fair Play failures.

Their focus then was on adding solidity, with the £40 million centre-back Eliaquim Mangala occupying much of their budget and defensive midfielder Fernando and goalkeeper Willy Caballero the other acquisitions to command transfer fees.

Now Pellegrini says they cannot afford to go a second summer without acquiring a match-winner, as he underlined the importance of bringing in superstars.

He said: “Big teams need to sign a big player. It is very difficult to do it every year, but every two years you must do it.

“I’m not just talking about Manchester City. You see Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona and Bayern Munich – all the big clubs – all do it. It is important to have big names.”

City can expect to face competition for both major targets, with Pogba’s agent claiming United, Chelsea, Bayern, Barcelona, Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain all want the Frenchman, while De Bruyne’s suitors include the English and German league leaders.

Pogba is 22 and De Bruyne 23, which is of importance given the ageing nature of the City squad. Pellegrini, in a recent interview in Spanish, had complained that an inability to bring in a real top-class player last summer had cost City.

While the Chilean manager’s record in the transfer market has been criticised, he said he believes City signed “big players” after his appointment in 2013, when Alvaro Negredo, Stevan Jovetic, Jesus Navas and Fernandinho arrived for a combined cost of around £85 million.

He defended the purchase of the World Cup-winner Navas, but the Spaniard is one of City’s foreign legion. Pellegrini has acknowledged the importance of buying British in the future.

“We do need English players, and we need good players,” he said.

Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling are two young Brits who have reportedly attracted City’s attention, although Liverpool have insisted they will not sell Sterling and Everton’s £50 million pricetag for midfielder Barkley has proved off-putting.

Premier League clubs need to name eight players who qualify as home-grown in their 25-man squads.

While the City contingent includes their French left-back Gael Clichy, they are certain to lose one England international, in Frank Lampard, and could see another, in James Milner, depart on a free transfer this summer.

City face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park tonight.

Milner, who missed England’s friendly with Italy because of a knee problem, and Yaya Toure, who sat out their 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion because of an Achilles injury, are both in contention for a start.

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