Pep Guardiola has told Manchester City that important decisions have to be made in the transfer market before the September 1 deadline day.
City have lost Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez this summer, while a bid has been accepted for Aymeric Laporte. Kevin De Bruyne is out until the New Year with injury, while John Stones will miss the next three weeks with a muscle problem of his own.
Guardiola insists that City will defend their treble of titles with their current group of players if needed, but admitted after they beat Newcastle that the club must decide if they want to make any new signings in the final 12 days of the transfer window.
West Ham's Lucas Paqueta was an option but a move for the Brazilian is now unlikely, while winger Jeremy Doku has also been linked. ALSO READ: City injury problems mount as John Stones ruled out "We will need everyone with this schedule and calendar.