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Barcelona News: Man City boss Pep Guardiola to hijack Barca move for Julian Weigl
BARCELONA could have their plans to sign Borussia Dortmund star Julian Weigl ruined by their former manager Pep Guardiola.
Barcelona and Manchester City both want to sign Julian Weigl
Barcelona want to sign Weigl as a long-term replacement to Sergio Busquets.
The Nou Camp club have supposedly earmarked the Germany international for a summer transfer.
But they face a tough challenge from Guardiola’s Manchester City side to get the deal through.
That is according to Spanish newspaper AS, who claim Weigl is also part of the long-term plans at the Etihad.
It is claimed that while Barca need a stand-in for Busquets, City themselves are looking to the future, with Fernandinho and Yaya Toure out of contract at the end of the season.
Julian Weigl (centre) has returned to the Borussia Dortmund midfield after injury
Julian Weigl (centre) broke his ankle at the end of last season
Weigl, 22, has only made five appearances for Dortmund this season after recovering from a broken ankle suffered at the end of last season.
But his reputation and his performances last season carry enough weight to keep both Barca and City interested.
Weigl only signed a new contract extension until 2021 last December but that doesn’t appear to have deterred either of his suitors.
AS claim Barca officials Josep Bartomeu and Robert Fernandez are happy to launch a bid for Weigl, who was originally earmarked as a viable targeted by former manager Luis Enrique.
Any deal to the Nou Camp would also likely coincide with a number of exits.
Andre Gomes has not proven the adequate midfield understudy to Busquets and Andres Iniesta that Barcelona originally believed he would be and the Portuguese could be put on the market in January.
And the same goes for Sergi Roberto, although the Barca academy product offers more flexibility in defence and midfield.
As for City, the Premier League leaders invested over £160million on players in the summer window with the remit of winning the title and at least reaching the Champions League semi-finals.
Guardiola has not won the Champions League since leaving Barca in 2012.