Three first-team Man City players have left Etihad this summer.
The Cityzens have lost Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Oleksandr Zinchenko to their Premier League rivals this summer window.
Pep Guardiola has seemingly rotated his attacking options but admits he would have loved to keep the trio at the Etihad.
The players desired more playing time and Guardiola understood their reasons for departure.
“No [the transfers weren’t guaranteed to happen] because I was incredibly happy with Gabriel, Oleks and Raheem,” Guardiola said.
“If they stayed longer there would be no problem. They proved last year how good they are.
“But sometimes the players want more, and the club feel it is the right moment to do it. But the most important thing is they leave happy with the club and what they have done.
“Normally when you talk about transfers in Spain, Germany, England, it is 10 per cent more. It happens and we know it. It happens because they are really good. They are the best ages and their best years are maybe coming now. That’s why they have a value in the market.
“Chelsea and Arsenal have paid the money that is fair. And the discussions were perfect, Txiki [Begiristain] told me. Good for both sides and really friendly.”
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