Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has said that the club approached Tottenham four times over signing Harry Kane last summer but Spurs were reluctant to release the England striker.

Pep, who admitted he feared the lack of a striker could derail their season, said Tottenham was clear that the deal was not going to happen.

Manchester City is still on course to win the English Premier League (EPL) title as they hold a nine-point lead over second-placed Liverpool, having scored 61 goals in 25 games.

However, there were questions at the start of the season after they failed to record a goal against Leicester, Tottenham, who they face on Saturday.

Guardiola has now confirmed City tried to sign Kane on multiple occasions, but Spurs were clear in their stance.

He said: “I never was, in my 11 or 12 years, disappointed in what the club cannot do in the transfer market.

“I’ve never created a fire here because I represent the club and the club is always beyond myself by far.

“We tried [to sign Kane] but it was far away to be done because Tottenham was clear this is not going to happen. And when it happens two, three, four times, it’s over.

“Now you can say ‘Harry Kane didn’t come and everything is going well’ but at the time I didn’t know it. When we lost to Spurs and Leicester in the Community Shield. And I don’t know what will happen in the next few weeks.

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“The club gave me players and I’m always delighted – and it’s then what we can do together. Maybe if we had a proper striker we would play with a striker but with the players we have we have to adapt,” Guardiola stated.

Without a recognised striker, City have shared the goals around this season, with Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva all hitting double figures.

“The club is beyond everyone and I know they do the best for me.

“The important thing is we are there to fight. Try to play better, no matter who plays. We will continue to do it,” the manager added.

TheStar