According to reports, it has been claimed that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has told Barcelona skipper Sergio Busquets that “the doors of the Etihad are wide open”, in case the Spanish midfielder is interested in a move to England.
Busquets, 33, has been a vital cog in Barcelona’s midfield for the last decade playing the role of a holding midfielder ever since his debut for the first team in 2008. The Spaniard was a part of their squads that won a treble of La Liga, Copa Del Rey and UEFA Champions League in 2008-09 and 2014-15.
The midfield veteran has rarely been a threat on goal scoring a solitary goal this season in the 19 appearances in La Liga, but his control over the ball, passing ability and vision have kept him at the highest level for the last decade.
The source adds that Busquets could sign an agreement to play a couple of seasons in England and them go to play in the New York City of the MLS, one of the clubs that are under the City group. Guardiola seems to believe the fact that the Spanish skipper still has what it takes to play at the highest level, at least for a couple of seasons bearing in mind his exceptional positional play which remains at the heart of Guardiola’s ploy to date.
Barcelona seem to have their money on the young midfield trio of Gavi-Frenkie De Jong-Pedri and with Nico’s recent promotion to the first team, throwing an indication that Busquets will slowly be pushed down the pecking order. Nevertheless, Busquets remains to be a priority for Xavi Hernandez in the midfield, with the 41-year-old starting Busquets regularly ever since he rejoined the club as a manager.
Manchester City though will be without the services of Fernandinho from the upcoming seasons with the Brazilian veteran tipped to bid farewell at the end of this campaign. Busquets would be a like for like replacement for the 36-year-old and Guardiola would be itching to land the Spaniard if he doesn’t renew with the Catalan giants.
Will Sergio Busquets join Manchester City?
Let us know.