OLD GUARD'S GONE

MANCHESTER CITY are plotting to become the Premier League’s dominant force once again – after deciding to unleash Pep 2.0 ahead of schedule.

- Simon Mullock

IPSWICH v MAN CITY

TODAY, KICK-OFF 4.30PM

Boss Pep Guardiola is the driving force behind a spectacular £250million transfer-window splurge that could see as many as six new faces land at The Etihad this month, after a huge statement of intent that has seen Erling Haaland sign a nine-and-a-half year contract extension in a salary package worth £240m.

City’s plan to wait for the official appointment of new director of football Hugo Viana in summer has been scrapped.

But Viana has been working alongside dealmaker Txiki Begiristain as the Blues finalise deals for Eintracht Frankfurt’s striker Omar Marmoush, Lens’ defender Abdukodir Khusanov, teenage centre-back Vitor Reis of Palmeiras and Juventus’ full-back Andrea Cambiaso, at a cost of £190m.