A bearded man in a dark jacket in front of the FC Barcelona crest on a yellow background.

Guardiola goes all in and offers 86 million to take him to City: Goodbye Barça, huge mess

The Catalan coach of Manchester City wants this player no matter what in this winter transfer market.

The transfer market continues to be a source of great surprises. Manchester City, led by Pep Guardiola, seems determined to make a splash with a million-pound offer for one of the current stars of FC Barcelona. The Manchester side would be willing to offer 84 million pounds to secure the services of a player who is shining brightly in La Liga.

Coach Pep Guardiola, standing on stage at the FIFA The Best gala, receiving an award
Guardiola | @ManCityES

A Stellar Season That Hasn't Gone Unnoticed

This Barça star has proven to be one of the offensive pillars of Barça this season. His statistics speak for themselves: 20 goals and 11 assists in 29 matches. He has formed, alongside Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal, a formidable trio that has kept Barça competitive in all competitions.

Pep Guardiola had previously shown interest in this player, but this time he seems willing to do whatever it takes to sign him. His idea is to add dynamism and depth to an attack that, although powerful, needs reinforcement after the ups and downs of the season.

Two FC Barcelona soccer players celebrate on the field with smiles and hugs.
Lewandowski alongside Lamine Yamal | @FCBarcelona

For this transfer to materialize, two key factors must be met. First, Barcelona must be willing to accept the offer. While the amount offered is significant, the Catalan club won't make decisions lightly, especially considering that this player is one of Flick's favorites.

The second factor is the player's willingness. Although he is happy in Barcelona, returning to the Premier League could be a tempting option. His time at Leeds United left him with good memories, and the challenge of playing under Guardiola's orders is hard to ignore.

Manchester City | @kalvinphillips

Competition in the Market

Manchester City isn't alone in this bid. Arsenal has also shown interest in the player, but their offer of 67.5 million pounds falls short of the Citizens' proposal. Despite the Gunners leading the Premier League, their offer doesn't seem sufficient to compete with City's economic might.

Meanwhile, Barça would prioritize a higher sale, which would tip the balance in favor of Manchester City. However, nothing is finalized yet, and the coming months will be crucial in determining the fate of this footballer.

Two men in Arsenal sportswear chat on a training pitch, one of them pointing at something in the distance.
Mikel Arteta | @arsenal

The signing wouldn't only strengthen Manchester City in sports terms but would also represent a statement of intent in the market. Competing for one of Barça's most disruptive players and securing his transfer would be a clear signal of the English team's intentions to continue dominating the European scene.

Guardiola knows perfectly well the impact this player can have on his scheme. His speed, dribbling, and ability to decide matches make him an ideal reinforcement for the Manchester side.

Roberto De Zerbi and Pep Guardiola hugging after a match.
Guardiola | Premier League

Barça's Dilemma

For FC Barcelona, the possible departure of this figure would represent a significant sporting blow but an economic opportunity. With the financial restrictions the club faces, accepting an offer like City's could help alleviate the situation and open the door to new signings.

Hansi Flick would have the difficult task of reorganizing the attack without one of his key pieces, although the amount received could allow for signing a reliable substitute.

A soccer player in a FC Barcelona uniform walks in a dark environment.
Raphinha | @FCBarcelona

Everything points to the future of this Barça star being one of the great stories of the next transfer market. Meanwhile, both the player and the club have important decisions to make.

Finally, the player in question is Raphinha, the Brazilian winger who has been key in the culé attack. His possible move to Manchester City would mark a turning point for his career, Barça, and the European market.