Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has stated that his side are judged differently as compared to other clubs with regards to transfer spending,
He argued that City would be "killed" if they spent as much money on new recruits as rivals Chelsea have over the last 12 months.
City's spending has been under the scanner since Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Mansour became owner in 2008. Additionally, 115 charges were brought by the Premier League against City for alleged breaches of financial regulations.
Chelsea have splashed out more than $1 billion in the transfer market since the new ownership led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took charge of the club in May 2022.
"We'd be under scrutiny like you couldn't imagine," Guardiola told reporters on Friday. "I couldn't sit here if we spent what Chelsea spent in the last two transfer windows - you would kill me.
"We have to see what happens in the market and if we can do it and to pay what we believe is fair... In the end, we will pay what is fair to do it. Otherwise, we have the academy."
City roped in defender Josko Gvardiol earlier this month while midfielder Mateo Kovacic joined in June, with the transfer fees estimated to be 90 million euros ($97.79 million) and 25 million pounds ($32 million), respectively.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have signed eight players so far. Midfielder Romeo joined on Friday for around 53 million pounds, their second signing of the week after Moises Caicedo joined for a fee of British record 115 million pounds.
"I don't criticise Chelsea for one second," Guardiola added. "I'm saying, if we do it, we're dead, all around the world. They can do what they want.
"If they want to spend, I don't know, 900 million pounds since (Boehly) arrived, 900 more, 900 more - they have it. The business is the business. They sell a lot this season so they can do it."
City kick started their Premier League title defence with a 3-0 victory at Burnley last week. They host Newcastle United on Saturday.