Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola denies they've single-handedly inflated the transfer market.

Guardiola says several clubs have splashed out more than their record fee — the £60million paid to Leicester last summer for winger Riyad Mahrez.

“Our most expensive one was Riyad, and he is far away from what the top teams pay," he said.

“Our wage bill for the players is eighth or ninth or tenth in Europe, so there are eight or nine clubs where the wages are higher than what Manchester City pay. We try to be stable in everything.

“When we spent a lot last season, it was because the team was old. It was 30-31 years old, and that's why we did it. But we cannot do it every season.

“We have a limit and cannot spend more so that's why we need to be careful with the players and try next season to see what we can do to improve."