Manchester City's technical secretariat is preparing for a hectic summer, and Pep Guardiola will have a significant role in the upcoming revolution for his squad. The need to renew the first team is evident after a complicated season, especially with Kevin De Bruyne's departure, which will mark a turning point in his system. With the Club World Cup just around the corner, the Catalan coach wants to finalize key signings as soon as possible that will allow him to keep the English team's international dominance.
Historically, Pep Guardiola has shown a preference for players who have come through Barça's environment or who share a similar playing vision to that of La Masia. That's why it's not surprising that some names linked to the blaugrana club have appeared in his plans. One of them, who was already on the radar in the past, is the chosen one to replace the Belgian midfielder at Manchester City.
Guardiola insists on signing him
According to the latest reports, Manchester City have renewed their pursuit of Dani Olmo. Sources close to the operation confirm that Guardiola contacted Joan Laporta and Deco to ask if the club is open to negotiating the departure of the attacking midfielder. The Catalan coach's intention is clear: he wants a footballer who resembles Kevin De Bruyne's profile, and Olmo meets those requirements.
In England, they would be willing to put a strong offer on the table, even above €55 million (55 millones de euros) that Barça paid Leipzig just a year ago. The departure of the Belgian star, along with the wear and tear of other key players like Gündogan or Bernardo Silva, have left a significant gap in Manchester's structure. That's why City are in a hurry to close the deal, since Olmo is one of the few who fits that profile: tactical intelligence, vision, and the ability to both assist and score.
Barça responds
However, City's interest has met with a strong response from Barcelona. Neither the club nor the player are willing to negotiate a departure this summer. Dani Olmo feels fully identified with the new project led by Hansi Flick, with whom he has already spoken about his role and prominence in the first team.
In addition, the fact that he is back at the club where he grew up after a long time weighs on his decision. Meanwhile, Barça consider Olmo a key piece both in the short and medium term: the board believes he can be one of the pillars of the new cycle. They signed him not only for his talent, but for his commitment to the club's playing style, so Barça's "no" is practically final.