Sporting director reveals only Manchester City have the ‘closest’ to an ‘impossible’ first-team star to replace

Redaction Willow Austin with Freddie Pye
Published on 2024-02-09 15:30:00

According to Barcelona’s sporting director, Manchester City is home to Barcelona’s closest possible option to a Sergio Busquets replacement. Barcelona has made several signings from Manchester City and has also failed with attempts to sign Bernardo Silva, and reportedly admires Rodri as well.

Rodri is 27 years old and scored the winning goal in the UEFA Champions League Final last season. He has scored six goals in the current campaign after joining the Premier League in 2019. He has become an integral member of Pep Guardiola’s squad, featuring in 56 matches last season and being unbeaten in over a year.

Although Rodri is contracted at the Etihad Stadium until 2027 and any transfer interest would be rebuffed, Barcelona believes he could potentially replace a current veteran midfielder. Barcelona’s sporting director openly admitted to Manchester City holding the ‘closest’ possible replacement to Sergio Busquets but acknowledged that City would never sell him to any club. He also discussed potential names including Joshua Kimmich, another top player but difficult to sign.

Manchester City has been heavily linked with a potential move for Bayern Munich midfielder Kimmich, with the 28-year-old set to be targeted by Pep Guardiola’s side next summer. Kimmich had even been mooted as a potential January transfer target, after falling out of favour with Thomas Tuchel at the Allianz Arena.

All in all, Barcelona sees Rodri as a potential replacement for Sergio Busquets, but acknowledges the difficulty in signing him from Manchester City. Additionally, there is interest in Joshua Kimmich, but it is clear that both players present significant challenges for any potential transfer.

Read Original article on City Xtra