Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has backed Nottingham Forest's level of spending in the transfer market ahead of the two teams facing off at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday (7.30pm kick-off).
The Reds completed their 18th signing of the summer transfer window on Monday when a loan deal for Atletico Madrid full-back Renan Lodi was confirmed. Their 16 permanent signings have cost them in the region of £150m and they could yet complete more deals before the market closes at 11pm on Thursday, September 1.
It is the biggest outlay by a promoted team in Premier League history, prompting concerns that the new squad will find it difficult to gel. But Forest acquitted themselves well on Sunday in a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham at the City Ground, quelling fears that Steve Cooper would struggle to get the best out of his new recruits.
