Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that a player’s ability is the defining factor whether they interest the club.

The Citizens have recently invested in the likes of young talents Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus during the recent transfer windows.

Guardiola believes that Sane, Sterling and Jesus have the quality to have long careers at the Etihad Stadium following their performances for the club this season.

‘We bought young players, because we believe they have a lot of quality. We don’t buy players just because they are young,’ Guardiola told the Manchester City website.

‘They have a lot of quality, and of course, we can invest a lot of money, with Raheem or with Leroy or the other guys.

‘It’s because we expect them to be here for four, five, six, seven years and make their careers here at Manchester City. That is the reason why. But the first thing we are looking for, is the potential, the quality. After that, OK, as young as possible.’

With many of City’s young sides, including the U18s and Elite Development Squad, challenging for trophies towards the back end of the season, Guardiola praised the work of the club’s academy.

The 46-year-old has praised the young players coming through the academy, and he insists that they are training players to one day be promoted to the senior team.

‘The academy for Manchester City works a lot, and for a long time,’ he added.

‘It doesn’t matter about the results, believe me, but it’s good they win titles, because it means you have the winning mentality in every single player, at 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, they win a lot of titles and win a lot of games.

‘That is really good for their process. The club is working for a long time to build these players to one day be at the Etihad Stadium.’

Manchester City will now go up against Stoke City in the Premier League on Wednesday.

The match at the Etihad Stadium kicks off at 22:00.