Pep Guardiola’s new contract could affect Barcelona from signing Manchester City duo next summer.
An update on the whereabouts of Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan, two Barcelona targets, was provided in a recent SPORT report.
Due to his popularity with Xavi, Silva was one of the club’s top targets in the summer. After all, the Barça manager wanted the international from Portugal to play alongside Pedri in the interior midfield position this year, with Sergio Busquets playing as the number six. An update on the whereabouts of Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan, two Barcelona targets, was provided in a recent SPORT report.
Due to his popularity with Xavi, Silva was one of the club’s top targets in the summer. After all, the Barça manager wanted the international from Portugal to play alongside Pedri in the interior midfield position this year, with Sergio Busquets playing as the number six.
However, the transfer did not take place because Barcelona was unable to obtain Man City’s desired price for the player. And it appears from this recent report that Pep Guardiola’s contract extension at Man City may have further diminished Barça’s chances of acquiring Silva.
The Catalan coach has extended his contract at Etihad until 2025, which could play a big role in Man City’s ability to hold on to Silva. The reason for this is that the former Barcelona manager views the Portuguese international as a key member of his team, and under his direction, Man City might extend an offer to the player.
The Premier League champions are willing to give Bernardo Silva the chance to leave the team if he so chooses, but Barcelona are unable to match the playmaker’s asking price, which will only rise in light of Guardiola’s extension.
Gundogan is another player whose future may be significantly impacted by Guardiola’s new contract. The German international, like Silva, is a target for Barcelona as they look to expand their options in the middle of the park.
Ikay Gundogan has stated that he won’t decide on his future until the spring, so a move in January had already been ruled out. The former Borussia Dortmund star had previously said that Guardiola’s future would affect his choice.
The most important thing for a football player, he had said, is that the coach values them while also being able to push and motivate them. “I haven’t thought that far, but in my career, I’ve always made my decisions depending on who the coach is,” he had said.
Gundogan might decide to remain at the Etihad after the manager announced his extended stay at Manchester City.
Therefore, Barcelona runs the risk of passing up both of these Manchester City superstars, which could be disastrous for coach Xavi.
