Guardiola: Dortmund spend huge sums on agent fees to bring in young talent

Erling Haaland and Pep [photo courtesy]

Borussia Dortmund invest heavily in the future of their squad and pay agents huge sums to bring in top young talent, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said ahead of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final against the Germans.

Dortmund have recruited some of Europe's best youngsters such as Norway star Erling Haaland from RB Salzburg, striker Jadon Sancho from Manchester City and midfielder Jude Bellingham from Birmingham City.

Guardiola's comments come after Haaland's agent Mino Raiola met La Liga clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid last week to discuss a potential move.

"If any one person in the city of Manchester knows Borussia Dortmund, it's me," Guardiola said. "About the culture of that club, the way they play.

"I will not find one single player at Dortmund without quality.

"They spent a lot of money on young players and pay a lot of money to agents to bring these players there because they have an incredible quality."

Haaland was linked with a move to City after Sergio Aguero announced he would leave the Etihad club at the end of the season, but Guardiola has cooled speculation by saying they were unlikely to prioritise a new striker.