Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola eyes swoop for LaLiga star
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Manchester City are keeping close tabs on Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal.
Mikel Oyarzabal, 24, has started the new LaLiga campaign in fine form, netting four goals in just five games, including in his side’s 4-2 defeat to Barcelona. The Spanish international’s contributions has helped Real Sociedad to fifth on the table after six games.
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TEAMtalk claims Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been a long-term admirer of the 24-year-old forward and the Premier League club have also held talks with Real Sociedad several times. Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund have also been linked with Oyarzabal in the past, but City are closely watching him now ahead of a possible move next year.
Manchester City have had an ordinary start to the new Premier League campaign, picking up 10 points from a possible 15. They were frustratingly held to a 0-0 draw by Southampton at the Etihad Stadium last weekend, with Pep Guardiola’s side mustering just one shot on target all match.
The club’s failure to replace Sergio Aguero has already affected Pep Guardiola in the opening weeks of the season. Manchester City were heavily linked with a move for Tottenham striker Harry Kane, but Pep Guardiola was ultimately left frustrated in the transfer market.
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Thus, the Sky Blues’ interest in Mikel Oyarzabal makes sense. Oyarzabal is a flexible forward who can lead the attack or play out wide. The 24-year-old, who was a part of the Spanish squad that reached the Euro 2020 semi-finals, is at the right age to make the step up in his career from Sociedad to Man City.
Due to a plethora of attacking talents, the Sociedad ace may not walk straight into Guardiola’s starting XI but his addition will further bolster the City squad. If the Cityzens are genuinely interested in Oyarzabal and feel he has the qualities to thrive in the system of Guardiola, they must fork out just less than £70m, which is seemingly the Spanish forward’s release clause.