Manchester City ready '£200m' double transfer raid for international stars

The Citizens have spent around £850m on new talent over the past five seasons, allowing Pep Guardiola to craft a squad boasting unrivalled depth and quality.

Next on the list? Why, only one of the most coveted strikers in the world, and a £100m-rated England international to boot.

What's the story?

With City legend Sergio Aguero set to depart the club having played a pivotal role in his side win multiple league titles and domestic trophies - and earning himself a statue in the process - the club are pressing on with finding his successor.

The chosen one? Borussia Dortmund sensation Erling Haaland, it appears.

According to the Telegraph, the Citizens are preparing to launch a move for the Norwegian hitman, whose value has sky-rocketed following a dazzling campaign with BVB that has seen him score 31 goals in as many Bundesliga outings.

On top of that, Aston Villa's Jack Grealish has been earmarked as another landmark signing, who could provide a further injection of flair into the City side, as well as boosting their homegrown player quota.

Like Haaland, Grealish has been the toast of his domestic division this season, audaciously weaving his way through opposition defences with aplomb and earning himself a handful of England caps in the process.

Do the bookies fancy it?

At this stage, they certainly do.

City are currently favourites ahead of Chelsea to snatch Haaland, and likewise with Grealish ahead of arch-rivals Manchester United.

It’s worth noting that the Citizens are also favourites to sign Spurs’ Harry Kane and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. Obviously, they can’t (surely) manage to land all four of them, and they’re probably still some way off finalising their chosen targets.

How likely are City to seal the deal?

If anyone can cover the outrageous, £300k-per-week wages Haaland could demand, it's Manchester City.

He'd be given an opportunity to be the main man leading the line, and ushering in the post-Aguero era could be an attractive challenge for the 20-year-old.

On top of that, his father, Alf, spent three years with City during his playing days, which could count for something.

Undoubtedly, though, there will be some serious competition for his signature - Real Madrid and Barcelona are both watching him like a hawk, and you can

never rule out Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich treating himself to a blockbuster summer signing.

As for Grealish, who has dedicated his whole career to his boyhood club thus far, a big-money move will surely eventually tempt him with a move away from Villa Park.

One factor that could put the 25-year-old off a move to City, however, is the sheer volume of attacking talent already at their disposal, which would unquestionably limit his game time.

Manchester United are keen as mustard to get him on the books as well, and there's no chance he'd be rotated as relentlessly as he would in Guardiola's side.