Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is reportedly planning a summer reunion with Andres Iniesta, and is plotting a bid for the Barcelona captain.
According to a report by Daily Mirror, Andres Iniesta is the subject of interest from Manchester City, who are plotting an audacious summer swoop for the Spain international. The Citizens’ boss Pep Guardiola and the Barcelona captain have previously worked together during the former’s managerial stint at Camp Nou.
Iniesta is the living embodiment of what Barcelona as a club set out to be, having graduated from the fabled La Masia academy before enjoying unprecedented success at the senior level and leading the club. Since making his first-team debut for the Blaugrana 16 years ago, the player has amassed over 700 appearances, winning every trophy at the club and international levels.
The 33-year-old is still going strong, having played 30 times for Barcelona this season and has displayed his class on many occasions. At this juncture of his career though, Iniesta is set to receive an offer to switch allegiances from one European heavyweights to another, with Manchester City interested.
The interest from the Premier League leaders does come as a bit of a surprise, even though Pep Guardiola is reportedly in the market for a midfielder. But, with an ageing David Silva already in the ranks, conventional wisdom would suggest the Manchester City manager would rather be interested in identifying a longer term creative solution instead.
Nevertheless, Guardiola seemingly wants to add Iniesta to his squad in the summer, with the player’s role at Barcelona reducing following the arrival of Philippe Coutinho. If the Barcelona captain chooses to move on for one last challenge in his club football career, Manchester City would jump at the chance of signing him.
Irrespective of the number of years Iniesta becomes available for Manchester City, it goes without saying that his influence and experience would be extremely important in driving home Guardiola’s philosophy at Etihad, potentially making him a valuable recruitment.
The report also suggests that the veteran midfielder’s lifetime contract with Barcelona is a non-binding agreement, as per the report, meaning it shouldn’t hinder Manchester City if they choose to pursue a summer move for him.
In the end though, it all depends on Iniesta’s willingness to call time on his long spell at Barcelona, and it remains to be seen if Manchester City end up signing him, should he indeed do so in the summer.
