Pep Guardiola 'BLOCKED Phil Foden's loan move to Parma back in 2019'
Pep Guardiola ‘BLOCKED two approaches from Parma to sign Phil Foden on loan in 2019’… with Manchester City boss rejecting their offers after Serie A side had scouted him during an England U21 game
- Phil Foden has emerged as a regular for Manchester City in the last two seasons
- But he was targeted by Parma on two occasions during the 2019 transfer window
- Boss Roberto D’Aversa had scouted him during an England Euro U21 fixture
- But Pep Guardiola wanted to keep him with David Silva nearing his end at City
Pep Guardiola blocked two efforts from Parma to sign Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden on loan two years ago, according to reports in Italy.
The 20-year-old has emerged as one of England’s most exciting young talents and has won many admirers with his excellent creative displays for the Premier League leaders.
The England star is now a regular fixture in Guardiola’s side but has been made to wait his turn, making just three Premier League appearances as an 18-year-old in the 2018/19 season.
Pep Guardiola reportedly blocked two efforts from Parma to sign Phil Foden on loan in 2019
The 20-year-old has become an important member of Guardiola’s squad in the last 12 months
And, according to Grand Hotel Calciomercato, Foden was a priority target for Parma following the end of that campaign in their search for a young and talented player who could operate out wide.
It’s claimed Parma coach Roberto D’Aversa had scouted the City youngster during England’s opening European Under-21 Championship match against France in Cesena in June 2019.
Foden scored a sublime goal to give the Young Lions the lead, but two late French goals against ten-man England saw the game end in defeat for Aidy Boothroyd’s men.
The same outlet claims, as a result, Parma made two approaches to sign Foden on loan.
D’Aversa even personally called the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach to make him aware of the Italian side’s interest.
Parma coach Roberto D’Aversa wanted a young wide player for his attacking three in 2019
He scouted Foden during a Euro U21 game against France, in which he scored for England
But both efforts were knocked back by Guardiola, who saw him as an ideal, ready-made replacement for David Silva, who would leave City at the end of the following season.
Guardiola is reported to have told D’Aversa: ‘He is a young player, but he is very strong. David Silva will leave, and he’ll be a starter this season.’
Foden has gone from strength to strength since being granted further first-team opportunities, and scored the winner in Tuesday night’s Champions League quarter-final first-leg win against Borussia Dortmund.
The 20-year-old has scored 12 goals and recorded a further nine assists from 39 appearances across all competitions this term, and has already won the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup under Guardiola.
But Guardiola was keen to keep him knowing that David Silva (left) would be on his way out
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