Manchester City, one of the biggest and richest football clubs in the world, is preparing to make a shocking and historic move this summer. According to reports from Spain, Pep Guardiola, the mastermind behind City’s football success, is targeting a young and highly talented midfielder from Barcelona – Pedri. And this is not just a regular transfer story. Manchester City are reportedly ready to break the British transfer record to make this dream signing come true.
Yes, you read that right. Manchester City are willing to pay a jaw-dropping €200 million (around £171 million) to sign the Spanish midfield magician. If this move happens, it will not only shake the football world but also change the future of Manchester City and Barcelona in a big way.
But why is Pep Guardiola so determined to sign Pedri? Why is he ready to spend so much money on a 21-year-old player? And how possible is it for Barcelona to let go of their golden boy? Let’s dive into this fascinating story of ambition, talent, and the fight for football dominance.
The Search for Kevin De Bruyne’s Heir Begins
For years, Kevin De Bruyne has been the heart and soul of Manchester City’s midfield. His vision, passing, creativity, and leadership have made him one of the best midfielders in the world. Under Pep Guardiola, De Bruyne became even better and helped City win multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups, and finally, the Champions League.
But now, time is catching up with the Belgian playmaker. At 33 years old, De Bruyne has struggled with injuries in recent seasons. It’s no longer a secret that he might leave Manchester City at the end of this season. Reports say De Bruyne could take on a new challenge, possibly in Saudi Arabia or Major League Soccer (MLS).
So, Guardiola knows he must act fast. Replacing a player like Kevin De Bruyne is not an easy task. It requires someone special—someone with talent, intelligence, and the ability to carry a team’s creative responsibilities. That’s where Pedri comes in.
Pedro González López, popularly known as Pedri, is only 21 years old, but he already plays like a seasoned veteran. Since making his debut for Barcelona in 2020, Pedri has become one of the most important players in the team. His calmness on the ball, ability to escape tight spaces, eye for a pass, and mature decision-making have impressed fans, coaches, and legends of the game.
Even Lionel Messi once said Pedri reminded him of himself during his early days at Barcelona. That’s not a small compliment.
Despite his young age, Pedri has already played close to 200 games for Barcelona. He has also become a regular for the Spanish national team and has been trusted in big tournaments like the Euros and the World Cup.
This season alone, he has made 49 appearances, scoring 5 goals and providing 7 assists, despite missing some games due to injury. His absence is always felt deeply by Barcelona, which shows how important he has become to the team.
Pep Guardiola’s Plan – Why He Wants Pedri at All Costs
Pep Guardiola is known for his love of intelligent, technical midfielders. During his time at Barcelona, he built his legendary team around midfielders like Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets. At Manchester City, he continued that tradition with players like David Silva, Bernardo Silva, and of course, Kevin De Bruyne.
Now, Guardiola sees Pedri as the perfect player to lead Manchester City’s midfield for the next decade. He believes that Pedri has the qualities to not only replace De Bruyne but also become a future Ballon d’Or contender. Guardiola’s admiration for Pedri goes back to his time in Spain, and now he finally wants to bring the wonderkid to the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City had previously shown interest in another young talent – Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen. However, reports suggest that Wirtz and his representatives have been in talks with Bayern Munich, which has made a move to Manchester very difficult. This has made Guardiola turn his full attention to Pedri.
And he’s not just interested. He’s ready to go all-in.
€200 Million – The Bid That Could Break British Records
If Manchester City do submit a €200 million bid, it would be the most expensive transfer in British football history. The current record is held by Chelsea, who signed Enzo Fernández for over £106 million in January 2023. Guardiola is now ready to nearly double that amount to get his dream midfielder.
Such a move would shock the transfer market and show that City are not just planning for now—but also for the future. Pedri could become the centerpiece of City’s midfield for the next 10 years, especially under Guardiola’s coaching and system.
And let’s not forget—Manchester City have the money. Backed by Sheikh Mansour and the City Football Group, the club has one of the strongest financial powers in the world. So, spending big is not a problem for them.
But There’s a Big Problem – Barcelona Say Pedri is ‘Untouchable’
As exciting as this move sounds for City fans, it’s not going to be easy. Barcelona are not ready to sell Pedri at all. In fact, they have labeled him as “untouchable.” For them, Pedri is not just a player—he is the future of the club.
Despite their financial problems, Barcelona are desperate to hold on to their best young stars like Pedri, Gavi, and Lamine Yamal. These players represent hope and identity for the Catalan giants.
Barcelona’s new coach, Hansi Flick, has also made it clear that he sees Pedri as a key figure in his project. In one of his press conferences, Flick said, “You can’t compare Pedri to anyone else in his position right now.” That tells you how highly the club values him.
What About Pedri? Does He Want to Leave?
This might be the biggest twist in the story. While money can sometimes change things, Pedri himself has not shown any sign of wanting to leave Barcelona. He has always spoken with love and pride about wearing the Blaugrana jersey. He dreams of winning trophies at Camp Nou, and he has said that Barcelona is like family to him.
So even if Manchester City offer a huge salary and a guaranteed place in the starting XI, convincing Pedri to leave his boyhood club will be very difficult.
But football is full of surprises. Players who once said they would never leave have done so when the timing and the offer were right.
A Transfer War Could Begin
If Manchester City truly push forward with this move, we might be about to witness one of the biggest transfer battles in recent history. The story has all the elements of drama—a rich English club, a Spanish wonderkid, a loyal player torn between ambition and love for his club, and a coach in Pep Guardiola who is willing to do anything to get his man.
And if the transfer does happen, it will open up new chapters in football history. Will Pedri succeed in the Premier League like David Silva and De Bruyne? Can Barcelona survive without their midfield magician? And what message does this send to other clubs around the world?
Final Thoughts – The Calm Before the Storm
As of now, nothing has been officially confirmed. But the noise is getting louder. Manchester City are ready to make their move. Barcelona are holding on tight. And Pedri stands in the middle, with the world watching closely.
Whether this transfer happens or not, one thing is clear: Pep Guardiola is planning something big. He is not settling for short-term success. He wants to build a new dynasty at Manchester City, and he wants Pedri to be the face of that future.
Summer 2025 could be one of the most exciting transfer windows ever. And if Manchester City really do submit that €200 million bid, expect fireworks, headlines, and maybe—just maybe—a changing of the guard in European football
