Manchester City Begins to Prepare for the Future Without Kevin De Bruyne, One of the Club's Great Emblems in the Last Decade. The Belgian, despite his enormous quality, has started to deal with recurring physical problems. Guardiola knows this and is already working in advance to find a replacement who can assume that creative role in the midfield.
The absolute priority for the English club is Xavi Simons. The Dutch international, currently at RB Leipzig, is having a sensational season and possesses all the qualities Pep looks for in a modern attacking midfielder. Ability to associate, vision of the game, and getting into the box are qualities that bring him closer to De Bruyne's profile.
Xavi Simons, the Desired Signing
City has put an offer on the table that is around 110 million euros to acquire Simons. From Etihad, they consider him a future investment and a strategic signing. However, the operation is not simple, and Leipzig has no intention of letting him go easily.
The competition for the young talent is fierce. Other clubs like PSG and Bayern are also closely following his development. If the signing doesn't materialize, Guardiola has an alternative plan ready that could revolutionize the market.
An Alternative That Looks Toward Barcelona
It's not the first time Manchester City has scouted talent in the FC Barcelona environment. In the past, they have signed players like Eric García or Sergio Gómez, both trained at La Masia. The shared football philosophy between Barça and City facilitates these types of moves.
Guardiola wants a player who understands positional play, who has composure with the ball, and who can make a difference from the midfield. In a scenario where Simons becomes complicated, City is considering elite potential options that haven't yet reached million-dollar figures in the market.
City's coaching staff has scrutinized several young midfielders from the main European leagues. Most don't convince or are out of the assigned budget if other market priorities are maintained. But there is one player who fits perfectly in terms of characteristics, projection, and cost.
Moreover, he has already shown personality in big matches, the ability to break lines with controlled ball, and a great arrival from the second line. His competitive maturity, despite his youth, has strongly caught the attention in technical reports. It's no coincidence that his name is on the table at Etihad.
Barça, Very Attentive to English Interest
From FC Barcelona's sports management, they are well aware of the monitoring Manchester City is doing. The Catalan club has bet on this player since his time in the reserve team, and his progression has been meteoric in the last year. For this reason, they renewed his contract and secured him with a clause that exceeds 100 million euros.
At Camp Nou, they trust that he will continue to grow under the tutelage of Hansi Flick, who has already given him confidence and important minutes. However, they are aware that an offer from the Premier League, and especially from City, could be difficult for the player to refuse. The project, the coach, and the league are a great attraction.
Guardiola's Choice if Xavi Simons Fails
The player Pep Guardiola is closely following is none other than Fermín López. At 20 years old, the youth player has shown that he is ready to make the leap to the next level. With outstanding performances in both LaLiga and the Champions League, he has established himself as one of the most interesting breakthroughs in Spanish soccer.
Guardiola values his intensity, tactical reading, and finishing ability. If Simons doesn't arrive, Manchester City will activate plan B with Fermín as the main target. Barça, meanwhile, is preparing to withstand an offensive that could come sooner than expected.