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Manchester City round-up: Barcelona veteran linked with Guardiola reunion; Sanchez agreement in place; Messi wanted to join
In the latest transfer speculation coming out of the Etihad, it is believed that Pep Guardiola is hoping to bring Barcelona stalwart Andres Iniesta to Manchester. Reported by the Italian outlet Calciomercato, as referenced by the and , contact between the two has seemingly been made, as the city boss tries to persuade one his most successful ex-players to join him.
The midfield maestro, who won three La Liga titles and twice conquered Europe under Guardiola at the Nou Camp, currently has just a single year left on his contract and is yet to sign a new deal.
At 33-years-old, the Spaniard, who has also lifted the World-Cup, may be coming to the end of his top-flight career. Last season, Iniesta was still in the squad when available, but was involved in less than 40% of La Liga action.
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Understandably, the Catalan giants are preparing for a future without their captain, who has increasingly suffered from injuries and is unlikely to feature more heavily next campaign. It may be the case that Iniesta decides to retire at the club he has been a part of for 21 years. If any man can convince him to do otherwise, it is probably Guardiola.
🗞 Alexis Sánchez tiene el acuerdo cerrado con el City. El Manchester y Arsenal tienen q cerrar el traspaso del chileno, nada fácil
— Gerard Romero (@gerardromero)
Meanwhile, respected Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, who has a good track record with Manchester City deals in recent times, has claimed that an agreement is in place for Alexis Sanchez to join the club, despite no fee being agreed. This news is reference more comprehensively in the ‘s subsequent report.
Sanchez’s future has been the subject of speculation for some time now, with Manchester City frequently linked with a move for the Chilean.
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The 28-year-old has just one year left on his existing contract and looks unlikely to sign an extension despite the reporting a contract offer of £300,000 a week. recently suggested that Guardiola is determined to bring in Sanchez, despite the apparent availability of Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Considering Arsenal’s stance – that , regardless of his contract – and their determination to keep him away from a Premier League rival, as the reported, the potential unofficial deal may do nothing to improve City’s chances of getting their man.
Finally, Spanish news outlet has also sensationally claimed that Barcelona star Lionel Messi had wanted to join Guardiola at the Etihad last summer.
The surprising article states that the global superstar had told the club of his intentions to leave, and that City were his destination of choice. However, for any move to be possible City would have had to reach the forward’s release clause, believed to be around €250 million.
Of course, no such move ever came close to materialising. For City and Guardiola, who suffered a disappointing season, it will be difficult not to think about what could have been.
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