Pep Guardiola found himself back at square one in his search for Sergio Aguero's replacement earlier this week after admitting that Manchester City have been priced out of moves for their desired targets.
City have been linked with big-money moves for Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland and Tottenham talisman Harry Kane, with the reigning Premier League champions being quoted as much as £150million if they want to sign the England skipper.
City even had a £100m bid rejected by Spurs for Kane while Haaland seems to be no longer financially viable.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola is searching for Sergio Aguero's replacement this summer
City have been linked with moves for Harry Kane (left) and Erling Haaland (right) this summer
Speaking to Catalan network TV3 earlier this month, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss insisted 'there is more of a chance' no new addition will come in to replace the Argentine because billionaire-backed City have also been affected financially by Covid-19.
'At the prices (quoted) we are not going to buy any strikers. It is impossible, we cannot afford it,' Guardiola said.
'All clubs are struggling financially, we are not an exception. We have Gabriel (Jesus) and Ferran (Torres) who have been incredible in this position.
Aguero saw out the rest of his deal at City and completed a free transfer to Barcelona
'We have young players in the academy and we play many times with a false nine. There is more of a chance we aren't going to buy a striker for next season.'
So with main targets Kane and Haaland now deemed too expensive, who else could replace Aguero now that the Argentine has completed his free move to Barcelona?
Sportsmail looks at five cheaper strikers that could help fill the hole left by the club's greatest ever scorer.
DANNY INGS (Southampton)Value: £20m
The Southampton striker has recently rejected a lucrative new four-year contract at the club and is looking to play for one of the Premier League's top six next season, according to reports.
While injuries have plagued the 28-year-old in recent years, Ings is a proven Premier League striker and managed to bag 12 goals last season for the Saints.
Now in the final year of his deal at St Mary's, City - who have been linked with the England international in the past - could be tempted into
