Manchester City are reportedly plotting a Bosman move to sign Ilaix Moriba from Barcelona on a free transfer in the summer of 2022.
According to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Manchester City are battling Chelsea and RB Leipzig in the race to sign Ilaix Moriba from Barcelona. However, the Premier League champions will only make their move for the 18-year-old in next summer’s transfer window, hoping to sign him on a Bosman move.
Ilaix Moriba has seen his career at Barcelona practically end just as quickly as it had begun. Having broken into the first-team setup last season, the teenage prodigy was hyped up to be a part of the long-term solution in midfield for the Blaugrana, having made quite an impression in his 18 appearances, wherein he chipped in with a goal and three assists.
However, Moriba is at odds with Barcelona over the terms of a new contract, with his current deal running out in a little under a year’s time. The 18-year-old has also been given a warning shot by president Joan Laporta, with Barcelona shunning him away from the first-team picture. His situation, though, has alerted several big-name clubs, with Manchester City among the suitors.
Manchester City have been reported to be in the market for a midfielder, amid the uncertain future that Bernardo Silva is facing at the Etihad, with Barcelona coincidentally among his suitors. In addition, Fernandinho is in the twilight of his career and will need to be succeeded soon enough. With all that in mind, it is not hard to see why the Citizens would want to bolster their midfield.
To that end, they have been heavily linked with Ilaix Moriba, with an offer in the works as well. However, Manchester City will only table their offer for the Barcelona contract rebel next summer, when they hope to prise him away from Camp Nou on a Bosman move.
Apart from Manchester City, RB Leipzig and Chelsea are also keen on signing the 18-year-old, with the duo weighing up a move for the ongoing transfer window. In addition, Real Madrid are also keeping a close watch on his situation at Barcelona, as they look to possibly sign him on a free transfer in 2022.
What now remains to be seen is if Manchester City can afford to wait till next summer to make their move for Ilaix Moriba or if they are forced to kick into action this year itself by Chelsea and RB Leipzig. For now, the only thing that is certain is that the teenage prodigy has a non-existent future at Barcelona.