Man City likely to miss out on key transfer target
Manchester City face rivals Manchester United in an intriguing derby on Sunday afternoon.Â
The Citizens have endured a tough season and face a battle to ensure they qualify for the Champions League next season.
At present Pep Guardiola’s side sit fifth in the Premier League table and, although that could be enough to reach Europe’s top club competition, Guardiola will be desperate to see his side beat the Red Devils in the Manchester derby.
This summer is set to be a busy one at The Etihad, with Guardiola likely to want to bolster his squad after a disappointing campaign.
It appears, though, that the Premier League champions are set to miss out on one of their top targets.
According to Football Insider, Barcelona have no interest in selling City target Pedri this summer.
The report claims that Guardiola views Pedri as a ‘dream signing’, but he is viewed as one of Barcelona’s ‘untouchables’ and therefore won’t be allowed to leave the club any time soon.
Pedri (right) won’t be allowed to leave Barcelona
Pedri, 22, is a product of the Spanish side’s La Maria academy and has already played more than 180 times for the Catalan side across all competitions, establishing himself as one of the best central midfielders in world football.
City have struggled this season during Rodri’s long-term absence due to injury, and Guardiola will also have to contend with the departure of Kevin De Bruyne when his contract expires at the end of the current campaign.
The Citizens are therefore on the hunt for midfield reinforcements and Pedri had been identified as an ideal candidate, but it appears that they will have to look elsewhere.
The Spaniard is contracted to his boyhood club until the end of the 2029/30 campaign, which puts Barcelona under very little pressure to sell him any time soon.
