Manchester City have reignited their interest in Barcelona utility man Sergi Roberto, who is expected to be sold this summer.
Roberto, whose contract has just one year left to run, struggled greatly with injuries last season, managing just 20 appearances in all competitions.
Sport revealed in May that Barcelona were prepared to offload the 29-year-old in favour of committing to young Sergino Dest, and the same outlet has now claimed that City are back in the mix for his signature.
City enquired about Roberto last summer but were informed he was not for sale. However, this last injury-hit season has seen Barcelona reconsider their options and Pep Guardiola is keen to take advantage of that.
Guardiola sees Roberto as a possible alternative for Joao Cancelo, whom The Athletic note isn’t particularly happy with life at the Etihad after rotating with Kyle Walker under the Spaniard.
Another defender for Guardiola? He must be licking his lips.
Roberto would prefer to stay at Barcelona but has made it clear that he will happily jump ship and join City if his current employers make it clear that he is no longer wanted at Camp Nou, which seems like just a matter of time.
Real Betis recently confirmed (via Marca) that Barcelona have triggered their buy-back option on 22-year-old Emerson – who will join Dest ahead of Roberto in the right-back pecking order at the club – so there appears to be no need for the latter anymore.
It’s suggested that Barcelona could try and use Roberto as a makeweight in a deal for City centre-back Aymeric Laporte, but the enormous difference in value means any such deal is unlikely.
There could be other players used in a swap deal, but the likeliest option appears to be a basic transfer, with City paying a reduced price because of Roberto’s expiring contract.
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