Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini: We have to be interested in Ronaldo, Messi and Pogba

Manuel Pellegrini admits Man City have to be interested in superstars to win Champions League

MANUEL PELLEGRINI says that Manchester City have to be interested in superstars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba if they want to achieve their Champions League ambitions.

 

City's massive financial resources were further boosted this week when their billionaire Abu Dhabi owner Sheikh Mansour sold a 13 per stake in the club's parent club to a Chinese consortium for £265m.

It values the City Football Group at £2bn - around the same as neighbours Manchester United - and strengthens their hand in the transfer market.

 

Pellegrini said: "I think if you want to be the most important club in football, or one of the most important, you must be able to bring all the best players here.

"We are always trying to do it but it is not easy because there are a lot of clubs, five or six, who are also competing for the same players. That depends on the style, in the work you do, but it is important not to give advantage in the options you have to buy those players."

 

Yaya Toure has become City's 36th different injury victim this season but Pellegrini says his lengthy injury list will not force him into the transfer market in January.

"No, I don't think so, "he added. "The squad for this year is decided. We are not thinking of replacements because of the amount of injuries we've had. Really, we are not thinking about that."

Apart from Toure, Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta and Samir Nasri are all out at Stoke today but goalkeeper Joe Hart will be back after two games out.