West Ham vs Man City, Premier League clockwatch live: score and latest updates from 2pm kick-offs

Pep Guardiola will target further signings following the arrival of Erling Haaland and wants players with the mentality for an era of dominance in the Premier League.

Manchester City are actively seeking reinforcements this summer, with a defensive midfielder to replace Fernandinho one of the priorities after sealing the £51 million deal for striker Haaland.

Given their goal difference over Liverpool, Guardiola’s team are effectively one victory away from a fourth title in five seasons.

“There are many incredible players around the world who could fit in and play here, without a doubt,” said Guardiola.

“When you arrive, you want to see what you have and those players can stay. But of course there are a lot of players who could play here for sure. The world is so big, a thousand million teams and top talented players.

“As long as they are good players with this special mentality of wanting to win again and again. Every day and not satisfied. The demands in England and other top countries, they have to handle the mentality. It is from the head, not the feet. The biggest thing is to find that.

“Of course, the standards are so high at City and other top clubs, you have to adapt or you cannot be here. There is no secret about that.”

City have taken themselves to the brink of the title despite a relatively small squad which has needed to cope with injuries. Kyle Walker and John Stones have been ruled out of the final week of the season, while Ruben Dias has also been injured.

They also have a raft of players approaching their final year of contracts, including Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan.

“The club has a duty – not me, the club – and I know they are working on that and always thinking,” said Guardiola.

“I am not saying it is going to happen but they always have a plan to see what can happen.

“They always have to look ahead, to view who is the next manager or staff, or if five players leave who would be the next five new players, or which players from the academy can be part of it like Phil Foden. These things have to be considered constantly.

“You can never say you have a young squad that can stay together for five years. It doesn’t happen … When you have an incredible squad of a high level, players want to play and be happy.”

City would move within sight of the title with victory at West Ham today, where they could also close in on a century of Premier League goals this season (they are currently on 94).

Guardiola says he would never try to protect a lead in a match.

“The best way to protect a 2-0 lead is to continue what you have done to get that lead,” he said.

“Sometimes the other team is better or you don’t play well but the plan is to play as good as possible.

“The feeling this season is that we have had better deep runners and arrive in the box with more people. I think we have learned that and have to continue to learn to do it. But respect the opponent because it is the best way. If you can score goals, you have to do it, because the opponent will.

“The most important thing is to win the Premier League, not the amount of goals. If we score 99 goals and win the league, it is still good.”

By Mike McGrath.