Arsenal and Manchester City reportedly look set to go head-to-head in the race to sign Barcelona utility man Sergi Roberto on a Bosman move in the summer.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Sergi Roberto is destined to leave Barcelona as a free agent in the summer transfer window. The Spanish utility man is keen on moving to the Premier League going into the 2022/23 season, with Arsenal and Manchester City his prospective suitors.
Sergi Roberto has been with Barcelona since joining their fabled academy La Masia in 2006 from Gimnastic de Tarragona. The Spaniard was only 18 years old when he broke into the first-team setup at Camp Nou and has since proven to be a utility man for the Blaugrana due to his versatility.
But the 2022/23 season has been one to forget for the 30-year-old, who has been beset by fitness issues this term. As a result, the Spanish international has garnered only 567 minutes of game-time across 12 appearances. And with his Barcelona contract expiring in the summer transfer window, it looks like Roberto’s fate is sealed.
The Barcelona utility man’s next destination could be the Premier League, as he is looking to further his career in England. And there is no shortage of clubs keen on signing Roberto, with Arsenal and Manchester City interested in him.
Arsenal and Manchester City reportedly look set to go head-to-head in the race to sign Barcelona utility man Sergi Roberto on a Bosman move in the summer.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Sergi Roberto is destined to leave Barcelona as a free agent in the summer transfer window. The Spanish utility man is keen on moving to the Premier League going into the 2022/23 season, with Arsenal and Manchester City his prospective suitors.
Sergi Roberto has been with Barcelona since joining their fabled academy La Masia in 2006 from Gimnastic de Tarragona. The Spaniard was only 18 years old when he broke into the first-team setup at Camp Nou and has since proven to be a utility man for the Blaugrana due to his versatility.
But the 2022/23 season has been one to forget for the 30-year-old, who has been beset by fitness issues this term. As a result, the Spanish international has garnered only 567 minutes of game-time across 12 appearances. And with his Barcelona contract expiring in the summer transfer window, it looks like Roberto’s fate is sealed.
The Barcelona utility man’s next destination could be the Premier League, as he is looking to further his career in England. And there is no shortage of clubs keen on signing Roberto, with Arsenal and Manchester City interested in him.
The interest from Arsenal stems from the lack of viable competition for Takehiro Tomiyasu. While Cedric Soares is the backup right-back, he has not been convincing enough since joining Arsenal from Southampton. Roberto could also be a potential replacement for Granit Xhaka, who has been heavily linked with AS Roma lately.
On the other hand, Manchester City’s interest in the Barcelona utility man is surprising, as they have two top-class right-backs in Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo. But with Fernandinho approaching the end of his illustrious career, Pep Guardiola could bring Roberto to the Etihad to replace the veteran Brazilian midfielder.
The Premier League champions have already been linked with one Barcelona star in Ronald Araujo, and Roberto could also be on his way to Manchester City. For now, it looks like the 30-year-old’s stint with Barcelona will end in the summer transfer window, and it will be interesting to see if another Premier League club joins Arsenal and Manchester City in his pursuit.
The interest from Arsenal stems from the lack of viable competition for Takehiro Tomiyasu. While Cedric Soares is the backup right-back, he has not been convincing enough since joining Arsenal from Southampton. Roberto could also be a potential replacement for Granit Xhaka, who has been heavily linked with AS Roma lately.
On the other hand, Manchester City’s interest in the Barcelona utility man is surprising, as they have two top-class right-backs in Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo. But with Fernandinho approaching the end of his illustrious career, Pep Guardiola could bring Roberto to the Etihad to replace the veteran Brazilian midfielder.
The Premier League champions have already been linked with one Barcelona star in Ronald Araujo, and Roberto could also be on his way to Manchester City. For now, it looks like the 30-year-old’s stint with Barcelona will end in the summer transfer window, and it will be interesting to see if another Premier League club joins Arsenal and Manchester City in his pursuit.