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Barcelona blow as Manchester City target Sergio Busquets replacement despite new contract
MANCHESTER CITY want to sign Barcelona target Julian Weigl, according to reports in Spain.
Rare footage of Lionel Messi's first-ever goal for Barcelona
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is seeking new recruits ahead of the January transfer window.
Weigl, 21, is wanted at Barca as the Nou Camp club seek a replacement for veteran Sergio Busquets, who could be heading to China.
But Spanish newspaper AS claim Barca will struggle to beat City to the Borussia Dortmund star.
According to the report, Barca technical director Robert Fernandez has been working hard on a deal to secure Weigl's signature.
That is despite the Germany international recently penning a new deal at Dortmund until 2021.
It is claimed Barca have tracked Weigl for a long time but they may have left it too late to land a deal.
Barcelona and Manchester City want to sign Julian Weigl
Weigl (right) has caught the eye after a string of impressive performances at Dortmund
Weigl, 21, has made 22 appearances for Dortmund this term
City have the financial might to outmuscle Barca in the market if it came to a bidding war for Weigl's services next month.
It is claimed Fabian Delph could leave City in January, while Yaya Toure's contract at the Etihad expires at the end of the season.
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