Manchester City keeping close tabs on talented Barcelona youngster
Pep Guardiola has identified Riqui Puig as a potential target and Manchester City have been keeping close tabs on the 21-year-old.
Barcelona are going through one of their worst phases in this decade and Manchester City are looking to add-on to their troubles by snatching away one of their finest talents in Riqui Puig. Considered as a natural in the midfield, Riqui Puig is often considered the next Xavi or Iniesta. However, the 21-year-old has found it difficult to find a place in Ronald Koeman’s XI despite numerous injuries plaguing the squad. It hasn’t been long since reports emerged from Camp Nou which disclosed the fact that Ronald Koeman accused the youngster of spilling team intel to the opposition. Keeping all that in mind, Manchester City are ready to move in for the midfield prodigy, as per Fichajes.
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Riqui Puig has the potential to be a midfield masterclass and he has spent a lot of time this season on the sidelines. Despite this season being one of transition for the Blaugrana, Puig hasn’t gotten his chances. When Ronald Koeman took over the job, he gave the option of going out on loan for Riqui Puig but the latter chose to stay and fight for his place in the team. With the recent incident in the dressing room where the Spaniard was accused of being a ‘traitor’, it seems Riqui Puig has lost his patience with the current Barcelona coach.
The Blaugrana is believed to be trying to get the 21-year-old on-board for a contract extension but the player is yet to sign the deal. Manchester City believes that this is the perfect time to raid the Catalan giants for one of their finest talents. This could well be a very strategic move on part of the Cityzens as down the road, Puig will develop into a player capable of replacing Kevin de Bruyne at the heart of the midfield.
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With Puig on the final year of his contract, the Blaugrana has the option of extending his stay at the club by a period of two years and perhaps this is the reason why the former La Liga champions aren’t panicking. However, with the financial strength of Manchester City and the current financial strength of Barcelona, one should not be surprised if the Blaugrana accepts a lucrative bid for the talented midfielder.