‘Look behind the scenes’ – Man City may now sign Barcelona superstar for ‘reasonable price’
Manchester City have the chance to sign one of Barcelona’s starting players for a very reasonable price.
The Spanish giants have been through some public financial struggles over the last few years, even failing to register players at times.
As for City, they have had an extremely busy summer window as they look to close the gap to Premier League champions Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola’s side have brought in Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rayan Ait-Nouri among others, and are now going after Barcelona defender Jules Kounde.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that City could pull off the move and bring Kounde to the Premier League.
‘Man City can take advantage of Barcelona’s financial troubles’
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that Man City have a chance to take advantage of Barcelona’s financial situation and secure a deal for Kounde at a reasonable price.
City are in the market for a right-back, after the departure of long-serving defender Kyle Walker to Burnley.
Wyness added that Kounde would be a great signing for Pep Guardiola’s side.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Well, the Barcelona media campaign has been out in force again, saying no, Kounde is going to stay here and everything is going to be fine.
“But look, things are not fine at Barcelona behind the scenes of their balance sheet. That’s for sure. We all know that, and I do think City have a chance to get him, given the financial situation at Barcelona.
“While Kounde may want to stay at Barcelona, I think the situation may dictate that they will sell him, and I think City have got a chance to get an asset here, and get him at a reasonable price.
“We’ll have to wait and see, but you know, trying to read through the tea leaves at Barcelona at the moment is really tough, and they’re doing things that are completely irrational and make no sense, and yet coming up with incredible last-minute strategies and diversion tactics.
“So let’s just wait and see, but I think City actually have a chance here. Kounde would be great in the Premier League, and I think that may happen.”
‘Leeds interested in Man City midfielder’
Meanwhile, Leeds United reportedly remain interested in a potential reunion with Kalvin Phillips as he prepares to leave Man City before the transfer window closes.
That is according to former Man United and Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown, who claims that the 29-year-old’s future is expected to be resolved next month.
This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed that Phillips will not leave Man City until he has recovered from an achilles injury, with an August comeback likely.
Leeds are believed to have been keeping an eye on his situation at the Etihad and have long been linked with a possible reunion should an agreeable deal be reached.
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