Pep Guardiola explains Man City's ten year plan for Erling Haaland - Omar Marmoush will take note

Manchester City will not sign any big-name strikers for the next ten years as long as Erling Haaland remains at the Etihad, Pep Guardiola has confirmed.

And the manager warned any incoming forwards to accept the reality that Haaland will always be number one after the striker committed his future to the club by signing a stunning nine-and-a-half-year contract on Friday until 2034.

The news came hours after City agreed a deal with Eintracht Frankfurt for prolific striker Omar Marmoush, who will arrive for around £63m in the coming days to support Haaland.

Marmoush has 20 goals and 14 assists this season, and can play alongside another number nine as well as behind a striker in the number ten position. But Guardiola's latest comments made it clear that Marmoush - and any other new signings in the next decade - will have to play second fiddle to Haaland.

"The bigger strikers will not come to be a replacement for Erling. So we have to find them young, [and then they] accept the role. Or other players for the role like Oscar [Bobb], [James] McAtee, Phil [Foden].

"I know it's completely different players but maybe without Erling we play a different way, with a false nine, with alternatives, with more runners from outside, more runners for the channels inside. We will find solutions.

"[But] we will not go to sign Mbappe for example as a top class player. Normally we play with just one striker. So that's why the club has the incredible news we have. Of course we have alternatives just incase Erling cannot play all the minutes and we have other options."

Guardiola wasn't referring to Marmoush specifically, however the message will be clear as he is expected to sign next week on the back of Haaland's huge extension. Julian