Full-back – a key position in Guardiola’s formation – is more of a priority with £40m speedster Rose a No1 target.
City appear to be high in the queue for Sunderland’s Pickford, who has turned in a series of impressive performances for the strugglers.
Dele Alli would not come cheap but is one of England's brightest talentsGetty ImagesMauricio Pochettino has turned Danny Rose into a top-class full-backPA:Press Association
With Joe Hart unlikely to return, Guardiola has blunder-prone Claudio Bravo and Willy Cabellero - out of contract this summer - as his options.
Guardiola has spoken to director of football Txiki Begiristain about his targets but is mindful of the extra cost.
He said: “I would like English players because they know the league and that is much better.
“I am really impressed with how many good English players your country has.
“Tottenham players, the English players are all amazing, City, United, Chelsea players as well.
Jordan Pickford has been brilliant for SunderlandReutersBen Gibson is also wanted at Manchester City this summerGetty Images
“I would like to have more English players. But, you have to believe me, they are so expensive.
“I would like to play with them. When I was Barcelona I had a lot of players [from Spain] at Bayern Munich, I had a lot of players [from Germany]. But sometimes it is not possible.
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