Pep Guardiola details failed transfer mission to sign Barcelona legend as Rodri replacement | OneFootball

Manchester City’s failed hopes of bringing one of the game’s all-time greatest defensive midfielders to the club to stand-in for Rodri has been detailed by manager Pep Guardiola.

The Premier League champions spent the entirety of the January transfer window working on bringing in a new central midfielder to the club in light of their struggles within the position since Rodri’s exit from the available squad roster last Autumn.

Working simultaneously on the pursuit alongside successful deals for Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, and Omar Marmoush, City officials exhausted a number of options including Juventus’ Douglas Luiz and Atalanta’s Éderson.

However, with just hours remaining in the January market, Manchester City got their man as they agreed a €60 million transfer fee with FC Porto that would bring 23-year-old Nico Gonzalez to the Etihad Stadium this week.

But prior to that deal being completed, there had been talk within Spanish media of a sensational swoop for one of the game’s all-time greatest operators in defensive midfield, which was addressed by the Manchester City manager.

Speaking during a recent press conference, City boss Pep Guardiola was quizzed on rumours emerging from Spain in recent days suggesting that he had made an attempt to lure Sergio Busquets to the Etihad following Rodri’s long-term injury.

“He’s so happy in Miami! You know the weather there? He’s so delighted,” Guardiola told reporters in the last few days. He continued, “I’ve spoken with Sergio since – not for those issues – many, many times quite often.

“We have the same agent, so I’m in touch from many years, so that’s the point.”

Discussing further on the challenge of recruiting in Rodri’s position at Manchester City, Pep Guardiola explained that a number of players would be able to produce high standards in the Ballon d’Or winner’s position, but their respective clubs are unwilling to sell.

“There are players that can do it but they (clubs) don’t sell, they’re so expensive,” Guardiola admitted. “So we can’t do it. But we thought about that because (Mateo) Kova and (Ilkay) Gundo are helping us, but they are not proper, proper holding midfielders, we know that.

“And they are making an incredible effort. So I’m grateful for that, I’ve said many times. In the tough period, I know perfectly the players that made a step up to try to solve our weaknesses that sometimes we have for commitment and effort.

“And that’s why I’m so grateful for a few of them.”

Manchester City will return to action on Saturday lunchtime as they make the trip to Leyton Orient in the fourth round of the FA Cup, on an afternoon that could see Nico Gonzalez and Vitor Reis make their competitive debuts for the club.