In order to replace Ilkay Gundogan this summer, Manchester City is thinking about signing Nicol Barella.
The German, whose contract expires at the end of this month, continues to benefit Pep Guardiola‘s team in the same way that he did when playing for the Etihad.
In addition to three doubles in his last six games, the midfielder has 11 goals and seven assists on the year. With two goals from outside the 18-yard area, Gundogan humiliated Manchester United in the FA Cup final.
How will Manchester City replace a player who is so crucial to their team?
Nicolo Barella is expected to join Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola wants Barella at Man City to replace the Barcelona-bound Gundogan, according to reports in Italy (via Sport Witness), and may have a very good opportunity to meet with him this weekend.
On Saturday at 8 p.m. BST, Inter and City will face off in the UEFA Champions League final, but afterward, there may be an opportunity to talk about Barella joining Man City this summer.
A “mind-boggling offer to snatch him from Inzaghi” could be made by Guardiola, who “dotes” on the Italian master. Although it is not stated in the report how much it would cost, Inter Live reported in February that they wanted to part ways with Barella for €90-100m (£80-88.5m).
According to FC Inter News and Sportmediaset, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Newcastle United are also “closely” following Barella.
Nicolo Barella’s skill level.
Steven Gerrard waxed poetic about Barella when providing analysis for Channel 4 prior to a Euro 2024 qualifying match against Italy in March.
“They [Italy] have emerging world-class players,” he remarked. You now have individuals like Barella and Raspadori. Over the course of their careers, these players have the potential to reach the highest levels.
It’s no accident that Barella and his Inter colleagues made it to the Champions League final because he has consistently shown his class.
Barella is a very dangerous midfielder to play against, much like Gundogan. In addition to being able to control games by playing more passes into the box than 90% of midfielders in Europe, he also poses a danger to score himself from inside the 18-yard box. He has nine goals and ten assists this season, which is more than projected in terms of goals and assists.
Barella would take Gundogan’s place, emphasizing once more Man City’s tenacious commitment to the transfer market. Rarely has a team been as steady in replacing important players; when Sergio Aguero left, Erling Haaland took over quickly.
The champions of the Premier League might then move on to Barella.
