Manchester City: This Barcelona midfielder could replace David Silva
Barcelona player would not veto a move to Manchester City.
Manchester City continues to study the transfer market in an effort to improve their squad. If reports are to be believed, they’ve set their sights on Barcelona’s Sergi Roberto.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Barcelona midfielder/right-back would only leave the club for Man City and a possible reunion with Pep Guardiola.
Roberto signed a new contract back in 2018 that goes all the way through 2022. He is also the club’s fourth captain behind Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique. By all accounts, he is happy at Barcelona.
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Despite being one of the club captains, he is still not a fixture on the first team. He shares playing time at right-back and is rarely used in midfield. However, his versatility and ability to play multiple areas on the pitch make him valuable to Barcelona.
But, with many of their players, if the right price comes along, then they are willing to listen.
As to why Manchester City would be interested in him is largely in part Guardiola’s need for an upgrade at right-back.
Joao Cancelo was signed this past season but has featured little and Kyle Walker has been inconsistent. Admittedly, Sergi Roberto would not be a flashy signing and not without his drawbacks.
What he would bring is an understanding of Pep Guardiola’s system. It is a significant appeal because it means they would not have to spend time embedding a new signing and getting him up to speed.
Plus Guardiola is familiar with him. Roberto debuted with the first team back in 2011 in a semi-final Champions League match against Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu.
Prior to Roberto, City had been linked with Barcelona’s other right-back, Nelson Semedo.
According to Marca, that interest in Semedo has now cooled. There were rumours that the two sides had been working on a swap deal that would have seen Semedo go to City with Cancelo coming back the other way.
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The interest in Roberto is in its early stages with the few talks at the moment. Should Semedo be sold, then it is unlikely Barcelona would agree to sell Roberto unless an exorbitant amount was put in front of them.