According to Fichajes, Manchester City are keeping an eye on Riqui Puig and may have to battle Bayern Munich for his signature. The £18m-rated 21-year-old has an uncertain future at Barcelona due to a lack of playing time and may refuse to sign a contract beyond 2021 as a result.
Pep Guardiola isn’t short of midfielders with Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Rodri and Fernandinho at his disposal, but Puig would be considered a bargain buy if he’s attainable on a pre-contract deal in January. Bayern’s interest may throw a spanner in the works, however.
Where will Manchester City finish this season?
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Since joining the Catalans on a free transfer from UFB Jabac I Terrassa in 2013, Puig has made 10 appearances for Barca U19s, 56 appearances for Barca B and 19 appearances in the first-team, making his senior debut in 2018/19. Last season, he averaged a successful dribble every 42.3 minutes in La Liga, which was better than Raheem Sterling (47.5) in the Premier League.
Puig finds himself behind Sergio Busquets, Frenkie De Jong, Miralem Pjanic and Carlos Alena in the pecking order, however, so his future looks away from the Camp Nou.
That’s good news for Man City and Bayern’s pursuit, but Barca are still holding out hope of tying him down to a new deal. Puig has been in the matchday squad in 14 of their 15 La Liga games this season, so he is still thought of. He just doesn’t get a lot of minutes.
In other news, Man City suffer blow in pursuit of Erling Haaland as Chelsea enter race for signature