Txiki Begiristain has nearly delivered on Man City chairman's transfer dream

There was a chuckle from Manchester City's chairman when asked if more signings could be expected quickly.

The Blues had already pulled off the signing of Erling Haaland by the time he was asked in early June, as well as making the decision that January buy Julian Alvarez would in fact join Pep Guardiola's squad for next season. Having announced that they were expecting to make more than one new signing, Khaldoon Al Mubarak added with an amused resignation that "If it was up to me, they would all be done on July 1."

It is, of course, not just down to City as other clubs are involved in the buying and selling of players. That, as well as City's red lines in the market have usually resulted in transfers being dragged out over summer windows from Alexis Sanchez and Jorginho to Harry Maguire and Harry Kane.

Also read: Man City transfer stance on selling Nathan Ake to Chelsea

This summer, however, City have got an impressive chunk of their business done early to the point where Txiki Begiristain could almost tell his chairman that they'd achieved the unthinkable. Even still, the bulk of City's to-do list appears to have been checked off.

As well as landing Haaland in what they hope will end the No.9 question for many years to come, Kalvin Phillips will soon be announced as a City player after undergoing his medical on Friday. Another new arrival will be Stefan Ortega, arriving with rave reviews from the Bundesliga to replace Zack Steffen, who will join Middlesbrough on loan in an attempt to bolster his hopes of starting for the USA in the World Cup at the end of the year.

In terms of outgoings, Gabriel Jesus will be announced as an Arsenal player and Raheem Sterling is expected to move to Chelsea - but unless serious money