Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has promised to sign a top striker to replace Sergio Aguero this summer.
Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, of Borussia Dortmund, are on City’s list of targets after club record goal scorer Aguero joined Barcelona as a free agent.
In his end-of-season address, Khaldoon warned that City will not sit on their laurels after reclaiming the Premier League title, and insisted that money will be made available for Pep Guardiola to strengthen the squad.
Unsettled Tottenham striker Harry Kane is on Manchester City’s list of transfer targets
‘We lose a very important legend in Sergio Aguero,’ said Khaldoon. ‘Very hard shoes to fill, but I’m confident that we will find the right player to fill those shoes.
‘There are other areas within the group that obviously need investment. Not too many, it’s not about numbers, it’s about quality.
‘I think it’s a phenomenal squad. You don’t win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final if you don’t have an incredible squad. We will bring quality into the squad in a couple of key positions.
Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland is another striker on City’s list of targets this summer
‘One of the things I’ve learned over the years is you need to constantly bring talent into the team. Refresh. Particularly when you are at a high level, when you are on the top.
‘Having won the league, it is not the time to sit back and be content. That actually would be your biggest mistake.
‘This is the time to send a strong message that there is no contentment, that you are not satisfied with just winning the league.’
Club record goal scorer Sergio Aguero (above) joined Barcelona as a free agent this week
The City chief believes his club will bounce back from their Champions League final defeat to Chelsea in Porto to challenge for Europe’s top prize again.
Khaldoon also claimed that Abu Dhabi ruler Sheikh Mansour is more than happy with City’s progress and is confident his vision will become reality.
‘I feel very, very proud of what this team has accomplished,’ he added. ‘When you reach the Champions League final, the pinnacle in football, the pinnacle in sports, I think it’s an incredible achievement.
‘A remarkable season by any description, but it’s also the culmination of years of hard work to reach a level of consistency, a level of expectations that this club has reached now, which is a club that will compete year in year out. You can’t win every year, but year in year out we’re going to be there.
Money will be made available for Man City boss Pep Guardiola to strengthen his squad
‘It’s about going forward and whenever we have setbacks regrouping and then coming back stronger. I think the record of the last 10 years gives me, and should give everyone, the confidence and knowledge to know we’re going to come back.
‘As sad as we all are to lose the final, we’ll be back in that final and, more importantly, these titles we will always be there, that I promise.
‘I know Sheikh Mansour is immensely proud. His vision going back to 2008 of what he expected, what he wanted in the next 10-12 years, has been achieved.
‘As we look at the next 10 years, his vision of what he hopes to achieve with this club, I believe we are well positioned to achieve that.
Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said the club were pleased with the progress under Guardiola
‘I look at the past with pride, I look at the future with excitement, and I think today the foundations are there. The blocks have been built, the foundation is strong and the confidence is there. This journey continues and I’m looking forward to it.’
On Guardiola’s position at the Etihad, Khaldoon added: ‘This partnership has been a great partnership. He’s in the right environment, he’s got the right infrastructure around him.
‘We have the greatest trust and the greatest relationship, and we’ve achieved so much.
‘So I think the journey goes on and will go on as long as Pep is happy and we are happy.
‘To the Man City fans, I tell you just be positive, be confident, enjoy these moments.’