Man City make Barcelona star ‘priority’ signing as Guardiola ‘sets sights’ on raiding old club

Manchester City find themselves at a critical juncture following a season that has fallen short of their lofty standards. The Premier League champions of the previous four seasons have watched their crown slip to Liverpool, while their Champions League campaign ended prematurely in the knockout round playoffs. Adding to these disappointments is the imminent departure of their talismanic midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne, whose creativity and leadership have been instrumental to City’s dominance under Pep Guardiola.

The Belgian maestro’s decision to leave the Etihad has created a void that City are determined to fill before the start of the new season. According to multiple sources close to the club, Guardiola has identified Barcelona’s Dani Olmo as the priority target to replace De Bruyne, with the Spanish international emerging as the frontrunner among several high-profile candidates being considered.

“De Bruyne’s departure represents a significant challenge for City,” notes former Manchester City midfielder James Milner. “He’s been the creative heartbeat of that team for nearly a decade. Finding someone who can step into those shoes isn’t just about talent—it’s about mentality and leadership too.”

Dani Olmo: Barcelona’s Rising Star

Dani Olmo has established himself as one of Barcelona’s most valuable assets since joining the Catalan giants. This season, the attacking midfielder has contributed 11 goals and provided six assists across all competitions, demonstrating his effectiveness in the final third. Perhaps most impressively, Olmo scored a crucial equalizer in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Inter Milan, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure in elite competitions.

Born in Terrassa, Catalonia, Olmo’s journey to Barcelona was circuitous. After spending time in La Masia, Barcelona’s famed youth academy, he made the unconventional decision to continue his development at Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia. This bold move paid dividends, as Olmo’s performances in Croatia and subsequently for RB Leipzig in Germany earned him international recognition before his eventual return to Spain.

At 27 years old, Olmo is entering his prime years and possesses the technical skills, spatial awareness, and creative vision that Guardiola prizes in his midfielders. His versatility allows him to operate effectively as an attacking midfielder, on either wing, or even as a false nine—flexibility that would be invaluable to City’s fluid tactical approach.

Barcelona legend Xavi, who has worked closely with Olmo, describes him as “a complete midfielder with exceptional game intelligence. His ability to find spaces between the lines and make the right decision under pressure reminds me of the best Spanish midfielders of our golden generation.”

Guardiola’s Connection and City’s Investment

Pep Guardiola’s connection to Barcelona runs deep, having both played for and managed the club with distinction. This relationship gives the potential transfer an added dimension, as Guardiola’s intimate knowledge of Barcelona’s system and players could be instrumental in successfully integrating Olmo into City’s setup.

According to reports from Fichajes, Manchester City are prepared to make a “significant investment” to secure Olmo’s services. While the exact figure remains undisclosed, industry experts speculate that the transfer could command a fee in the region of £65-75 million—a substantial sum but one that reflects both Olmo’s quality and the premium placed on creative midfielders in the current market.

City’s financial capacity to pursue such high-value targets remains robust despite ongoing scrutiny regarding Financial Fair Play regulations. The club’s ownership has consistently demonstrated willingness to back Guardiola in the transfer market, particularly when replacing key personnel.

The timing of City’s interest is notable, with reports suggesting they aim to complete the signing before the start of pre-season. This accelerated timeline likely relates to City’s participation in the expanded Club World Cup, which begins in June 2025. Securing Olmo early would allow Guardiola valuable time to integrate him into the squad before this prestigious tournament.

Tactical Fit: How Olmo Would Slot into City’s System

The potential acquisition of Olmo represents more than just a like-for-like replacement for De Bruyne; it signals a subtle evolution in City’s tactical approach. While De Bruyne’s game has been characterized by his extraordinary range of passing and devastating crosses, Olmo offers a different profile—one that could see City adopt a more possession-oriented style reminiscent of Guardiola’s Barcelona teams.

“Olmo is more of a connective player than De Bruyne,” explains tactical analyst Michael Cox. “Where Kevin often looks for the killer pass immediately, Dani is comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and progressing it through combinations. He’s excellent at finding pockets of space and has that typical Spanish ability to protect possession in tight areas.”

This stylistic shift might be precisely what Guardiola believes is necessary to reinvigorate a City side that has shown signs of tactical stagnation in recent months. By introducing a midfielder with Olmo’s characteristics, City could become less predictable and more adaptable against the increasingly sophisticated defensive structures they face in both domestic and European competitions.

Phil Foden, who has himself developed into one of City’s key creative forces, would likely benefit from playing alongside Olmo. The two share similar technical qualities but offer different threats: Foden’s direct dribbling and goal-scoring instincts complementing Olmo’s vision and link-up play.

The Barcelona Perspective: Financial Realities and Squad Planning

Barcelona’s willingness to entertain offers for Olmo is indicative of the club’s ongoing financial constraints rather than any doubts about his quality. Despite making progress in stabilizing their finances, the Catalan giants still operate under significant economic pressure, with player sales representing an important revenue stream.

Joan Laporta, Barcelona’s president, has publicly acknowledged the need for pragmatism in transfer dealings: “We must balance sporting ambition with financial sustainability. This sometimes means making difficult decisions about players we would prefer to keep.”

For Barcelona, selling Olmo would free up substantial wage budget while generating capital that could be reinvested across multiple positions—a necessary consideration given the aging profiles of several key squad members. The emergence of young talents like Lamine Yamal and Gavi also provides Barcelona with creative options that might make Olmo’s departure more palatable from a sporting perspective.

However, Barcelona’s decision will not be made lightly. Olmo represents the type of technically gifted, homegrown talent that the club has traditionally built around. His connection to La Masia and understanding of Barcelona’s playing philosophy make him particularly valuable in maintaining the club’s identity during a period of transition.

Olmo’s Perspective: Career Considerations and Guardiola Factor

From Olmo’s perspective, the potential move presents both opportunities and challenges. At Barcelona, he enjoys a prominent role at one of world football’s most storied institutions, playing in front of the passionate Camp Nou crowd. However, Manchester City offers the chance to work under Guardiola—widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in football history and someone with a proven track record of developing midfielders.

Sources close to the player suggest Olmo has “appreciation” for City’s style of play and holds Guardiola in high regard. The prospect of becoming the creative focal point of a team competing for the Premier League and Champions League would be difficult for any ambitious player to dismiss.

Financial considerations would also likely favor a move to Manchester. City’s wage structure would almost certainly represent an improvement on Olmo’s current terms at Barcelona, particularly given the Spanish club’s well-documented salary constraints.

Perhaps most significantly, joining City would offer Olmo the opportunity to test himself in the Premier League—still widely considered the most competitive domestic competition in world football. Many Spanish players, including Rodri, David Silva, and Juan Mata, have thrived in England’s top flight, suggesting Olmo has the technical and physical attributes to succeed.

Alternative Options: Contingency Planning

While Olmo appears to be City’s preferred target, Guardiola and City’s recruitment team have identified alternatives should the pursuit prove unsuccessful. Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White has emerged as a serious contender following his outstanding performances in the Premier League, where he has demonstrated creative flair, work rate, and adaptability.

At 25 years old, Gibbs-White represents a different profile—a homegrown talent who has developed his game through varied experiences at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sheffield United, and now Forest. His Premier League experience might offer a smoother transition than Olmo would face, although his ceiling and technical refinement are generally considered slightly below the Spaniard’s.

Another name frequently linked is Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, whose stock has risen dramatically under the guidance of Xabi Alonso. However, reports suggest Wirtz favors Bayern Munich as his next destination, while Real Madrid’s appointment of Alonso potentially opens another attractive pathway for the German international.

“Wirtz would be an incredible signing for any top club,” says German football expert Raphael Honigstein. “He combines creativity with impressive end product, but securing his signature will be extremely difficult given the interest from Bayern and now potentially Real Madrid.”

City’s methodical recruitment process suggests they will have several options lined up in a clear hierarchy of preference. The club’s technical director Txiki Begiristain, who worked with Guardiola at Barcelona, has developed a reputation for identifying talents who possess both the technical qualities and mentality required to thrive in Guardiola’s demanding system.

The Wider Context: City’s Rebuild and Future Ambitions

The pursuit of Olmo must be viewed within the broader context of Manchester City’s evolving project. After years of domestic dominance, this season’s setbacks have prompted a period of reflection and recalibration. De Bruyne’s departure, while significant, provides an opportunity to refresh a squad that has shown signs of reaching the end of its cycle.

Several other long-serving players could follow De Bruyne out of the Etihad in the coming transfer windows. Bernardo Silva continues to attract interest from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, while İlkay Gündoğan is now in the twilight of his career despite his enduring quality. This gradual turnover presents both challenges and opportunities for Guardiola as he seeks to build his next great team.

City’s recruitment strategy appears focused on finding the optimal balance between experience and youth. Alongside established stars like Olmo, the club continues to invest in emerging talents, as evidenced by recent acquisitions such as Abdukodir Khusanov, the promising defender from Uzbekistan.

This blend of proven quality and potential allows City to remain competitive in the immediate term while ensuring sustainability for the future—a particularly important consideration given the uncertainty surrounding Guardiola’s own long-term future at the club.

The Guardiola Factor: Fatigue and Future

Pep Guardiola’s recent admission that he plans to “take a break” has raised questions about his longevity at Manchester City. The intense pressures of managing at the elite level have clearly taken their toll, with Guardiola acknowledging, “I’m going to stop at some point. I need to take a break.”

This candid revelation adds another layer of complexity to City’s transfer planning. Any significant signing must not only complement Guardiola’s current tactical vision but also possess the adaptability to thrive under a potential successor with different ideas.

For Olmo specifically, the prospect of working with Guardiola would be a major attraction, but the possibility of the Catalan coach departing in the relatively near future might give him pause. However, City’s institutional stability and clear playing philosophy would likely ensure continuity even if Guardiola were to leave.

The Title Race Warning: Liverpool’s Challenge

Despite City’s domestic disappointments this season, Guardiola has already fired a warning shot toward newly crowned champions Liverpool. When congratulating the Merseyside club on their “well-deserved” title triumph, he included a subtle reminder: “They have one year,” hinting at City’s determination to reclaim their crown next season.

This competitive spirit underscores the urgency behind City’s transfer strategy. The acquisition of a player of Olmo’s caliber would represent a statement of intent—a signal to Liverpool and other rivals that City’s temporary setback will not develop into a prolonged decline.

Liverpool themselves face a period of adjustment under new manager Arne Slot following Jürgen Klopp’s departure. This transition might provide City with an opportunity to reassert their dominance if they can successfully integrate their new signings while maintaining the core strengths that have defined their recent success.

Champions League Aspirations: The Final Frontier

Beyond domestic competition, the Champions League remains the competition that City and Guardiola covet most intensely. Despite winning the tournament in 2023, the sense persists that City should have converted their domestic dominance into more European success during the Guardiola era.

This season’s earlier-than-expected elimination has only intensified the focus on European performance for the coming campaign. Olmo’s experience in the Champions League, including his crucial goal against Inter Milan, suggests he possesses the temperament required for elite European competition.

“City need players who can make the difference in those tight knockout games,” argues former Champions League winner Owen Hargreaves. “Olmo has shown he can deliver in those moments. He’s got that Spanish DNA—calm under pressure and technically secure even when the stakes are highest.”

Next Steps and Timeline

As the summer transfer window approaches, all parties involved will be working to clarify their positions. For City, concluding a deal before the Club World Cup remains the ideal scenario, allowing their new signing maximum time to adjust before the 2025/26 season begins in earnest.

Barcelona will need to balance financial imperatives with sporting considerations, potentially using City’s interest as leverage to secure the highest possible fee. Meanwhile, Olmo himself must weigh the comfort and status he enjoys at Barcelona against the new challenge and potential growth that awaits in Manchester.

What seems certain is that Manchester City will emerge from this summer with significant reinforcement to their creative department. Whether that proves to be Olmo, one of the identified alternatives, or an as-yet-undisclosed target, Guardiola’s determination to respond to this season’s disappointments will ensure City remain formidable contenders across all competitions.

As one chapter closes with De Bruyne’s departure, another begins—potentially with Dani Olmo as its protagonist. For a club accustomed to setting rather than following trends, this transition represents not merely adaptation but evolution. The pursuit of Barcelona’s Spanish technician signals City’s intent to refine rather than revolutionize their approach as they seek to reclaim their position at the summit of English and European football