The relationship between Manchester City and La Liga champions Barcelona has turned sour. Mundo Deportivo has reported the news that the relationship between the clubs isn’t as close as it once was.
Fernando Polo of Mundo Deportivo reports that the relationship between the two clubs began to sour in January. Barcelona attempted to sign a loan deal for Joao Cancelo and believes that the treble winners refused to make a deal with the Catalan giants. Barca manager Xavi informed the media of this in the off-season, a claim that was refuted by City manager Pep Guardiola.
Another point of contention between the club was Barcelona’s pursuit of Bernardo Silva. There was speculation all through the summer transfer window of Barca’s interest in the City star. It got to a stage where Pep Guardiola told the Spanish club to meet City and put in a bid if they were interested in Bernardo. No bid was forthcoming, and City’s star midfielder signed a contract extension with the treble winners.
Barcelona also believe that the European champions tried to sign their star youth products. They believe during the summer that the treble winners targeted their academy stars Lamine Yamal, Alejandro Balde and Pau Cubarsí.
A souring of the relationship between Manchester City and Barcelona hasn’t affected any transfer business between the two. Joao Cancelo did complete a loan move to Barca on the final day of the transfer window.
The clubs have always been linked and had a healthy relationship previously. Pep Guardiola, Txiki Begiristan and Ferran Soriano all had spells at the Catalan club. Now that the clubs are competitors for the UEFA Champions League and potential signings the relationship may be frosty for some time yet.
