Premier League title race: Man City maintain healthy lead at top
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has stirred up speculation by appearing to have dinner with the agent of Barcelona star Ronald Araujo. The 22-year-old is in the midst of contract negotiations at the Camp Nou which, so far, have fallen short of securing his long-term future to Catalonia.
For the second transfer window in a row, City kept their business to a minimum by signing just one player.
Although the arrival of Argentine whizz-kid Julian Alvarez, who has been loaned back to River Plate for the rest of the season, is less glamorous than the £100million summer deal for Jack Grealish, securing his services could still prove to be a shrewd decision.
A quiet winter window also increases the chances of a money-splashing summer, and City have plenty of it to burn.
The Sky Blues lost young centre-back Eric Garcia to Barca last year, but a recent photo could suggest that they will attempt to make sure the favour is returned.
Pep Guardiola and Edmundo Kabchi were snapped having dinner (Image: Twitter / @TheFootballInd / SPORT)
As reported by SPORT, Guardiola was spotted with Araujo's argent, Edmundo Kabchi, which has put the Catalan club on high alert.
The timing of encounter could be considered suspicious, given that the defender's contract negotiations with Barca are currently on standby.
As it stands, the youngster's deal will expire in 2023, meaning the Blaugrana will have plenty of incentive to cash in during the summer so that they do not lose him for free the following year.
That also comes as good news for City, who may be able to negotiate a cut-price move if Araujo refuses to sign a new deal.
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After all, the 26-time La Liga champions appear to be in better shape financially than they were during the summer, so may not be as pressured to let go of their key stars.
Manchester City could make a move for Ronald Araujo during the summer (Image: GETTY)
Araujo has appeared in 16 of Barcelona's 21 La Liga games this term, and has become a regular fixture in the Uruguayan national team.
If tempted by a summer switch, the 22-year-old may have to chip away at City's established centre-back pecking order.
John Stones, who enjoyed a stellar 2020/21 campaign, has been left to sit on the bench behind high-flying duo Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias this term.
Nathan Ake is also a capable deputy, which could leave £32m-valued Araujo with a job on his hands to secure regular first-team opportunities.