Barcelona’s failed double Man City transfer swoop as Pep Guardiola rebuffed former side

Guardiola feels ‘guilty’ after Man City fail to beat Southampton

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Barcelona reportedly failed in a bid to launch a transfer raid on Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola rebuffing his former club. The La Liga giants were still attempting to revamp their squad despite their massive financial problems which resulted in Lionel Messi leaving for Paris Saint-Germain.

Barca had previously looked to City to bring in Eric Garcia on a free transfer, as their new star defender.

Garcia’s team-mate at the Etihad Stadium, Sergio Aguero, was also brought in to be the team’s next star striker.

But having seen Luis Suarez depart a year ago, Aguero was not the only attacker who Barca wanted to sign.

That is despite Barca finishing as the highest scorers in the Spanish top-flight last season, even if they finished 12th.

Much of their summer business was focused around bringing in free transfers, but surprisingly given the state of their finances, they were ready to part with a fee for one player in particular.

JUST IN: Roberto Martinez responds to rumours he will replace Ronald Koeman

According to Sport, that player was City attacker Ferran Torres, with Barca keen to bring him to the Nou Camp.

Torres enjoyed a solid debut season with City after joining from Valencia last summer, scoring 13 goals and notching three assists.

But a combination of a lack of consistency and a bout of Covid-19 saw his playing time limited at times.

This was especially the case in the Champions League, where he played just 10 minutes throughout the entire knockout stages as City reached the final.

DON’T MISS: 
Man City’s Guardiola tells Barca president who should replace Koeman (NEWS)
Man City could repeat Sancho transfer error as Dortmund show interest (ANALYSIS)
Lewandowski shuts down Premier League switch with Haaland warning (TRANSFERS)

As a result, that situation is said to have left Barcelona hopeful that they would be able to complete a deal for Torres.

Sport state that they were preparing a range of options to ensure they could bring him back to Spain, including a loan move which contained a mandatory purchase clause.

Despite Barcelona’s hope that they could make Torres their latest star, Guardiola had other ideas.

The report claims that City “quickly” shut down the transfer move, with the Premier League champions “never close” to letting Torres go.

Follow our new Daily Express Sport Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/dexpress_sport/

Though Barca believed they could exploit his lack of playing time in the Champions League, Guardiola’s decision to make him City’s leading striker this season ultimately appeased him.

And without the ability to make an offer of a significant value, Sport state that Barca gave up on the move.

While Torres was no longer an option though, Barcelona turned their focus to one of his City team-mates.

That team-mate is said to have been Raheem Sterling, who endured a difficult season for his club last year, but a loan move for the winger also failed.
Source: Read Full Article