Manchester City have reportedly ‘set their sights’ on signing Barcelona and Spain midfielder Pedri.
The talented 22-year-old has spent almost five full seasons with the Catalan giants and in that time has developed into an influential first-team star for club and country.
Pedri has recorded 25 goals and 20 assists in 186 appearances for Barca across all competitions, chipping in with five goals and seven assists in 43 games so far this season.
Only Jules Kounde (3,631) and Raphinha (3,441) have played more minutes for Hansi Flick‘s side this season than Pedri (3,375), who has also earned 30 international caps for Spain.
Pedri has played a key part in Barcelona’s success so far this term, with Flick’s side currently sitting three points clear at the top of La Liga and are still in the mix to win the Copa del Rey and Champions League.
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Man City plotting audacious move for ‘non-transferable’ Pedri
Although Barcelona continue to struggle financially, the Catalan giants are understood to have no interest in parting ways with Pedri, who extended his contract in January until 2030 and has been labelled the best midfielder in world football by his manager Flick.
Hansi Flick: “I keep saying that for me Pedri is the best midfielder in the world now,” Flick told reporters on Thursday. “It’s a pleasure to watch him playing, he’s fantastic… an unbelievable player”.
However, according to Fichajes, Pedri’s progress at Barca has caught the attention of Man City, who are willing to make a ‘multi-million-dollar offer’ to convince the Canary Island talent to move to the Etihad Stadium.
The report adds that former Barca boss Pep Guardiola sees Pedri as the ‘ideal player’ to ‘continue his style of play’ at Man City, who are set to prioritise the addition of a new midfielder this summer.
The Premier League giants are said to be aware that securing Pedri’s services will not be easy, as Barca consider the Spaniard as ‘non-transferable’, but the Citizens are ‘determined to try’.
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Man City set to target new midfielder this summer
After spending around £180m on four new players in January, Man City will continue their squad rebuild in the summer under the guidance of new sporting director Hugo Viana.
The Citizens are expected to target a number of younger players to address the age profile of Guardiola’s squad that currently includes 12 players aged 29 and over.
One player who is facing an uncertain future at Man City is 33-year-old playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who is out of contract in the summer and has been linked with a move to either MLS or the Saudi Pro League.
A potential exit for either Ilkay Gundogan, 34, or Mateo Kovacic, 30, has also been mooted, while Kalvin Phillips, 29, is expected to leave permanently this summer when his loan deal at Ipswich Town expires.
