Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is said to be planning to axe 11 first team playersthis summer to make way for a £200m spending spree.
Reports claim that the former Bayern Munich boss is growing frustrated at his current crop of players and has decided to clear house in order to bring in players he wants - with theSunclaimingthat a number of out-of-contract stars as well as first-team players are in danger of being shownthe door at the Etihad.
Guardiola has listed two fullbacks, a central defender, a midfielder and a striker as priorities, as he looks to more or less rebuild his entire side. It's claimedthat Guardiola's side have already been in contact with Barcelona over a £100m move for Lionel Messi, who used to play under the Spaniard at Barcelona.
Messi is reportedly upset over the delays in Barca offering him a new deal and Guardiola has shown he is not afraid to splash the cash having spent £174m last summer.
However, a number of the Spanish coach's signings have failed to make the desired impact. Defender John Stones has been below par this season and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has left many wondering why Joe Hart was allowed to leave on loan.
Newcomer Gabriel Jesus, who was originally signed in the summer, has proved that not all the money was wasted.
The £27m man has burst onto the Premier League scene, scoring three goals in four games since arriving at the Etihad.
EXCLUSIVE: Man City to axe ELEVEN stars in £200m overhaul https://t.co/ABat10Ympg pic.twitter.com/aWKgPjVL5J
Despite his previous transfer woes, an insider at City revealed that the coach has the backing of the owners.
Pep will be backed to the hilt and will have something around £200m to spend to achieve his aims and targets.There is a huge rebuilding process going on at the club and this is just the next stage of that.
It was never going to happen in one season. This is a project, instant success isn't a guarantee.�