Exclusive: PSG pair catch Manchester City’s eye but a move for Joao Neves or Barcola may be unattainable | OneFootball

We saw during Manchester City’s 1-nil defeat to Nottingham Forest that Pep Guardiola’s side could benefit from adding another wide man with the end product to break open a low block. It is also no secret that the current Premier League champions are desperate to add more quality and youth to their midfield. Now Esteemed Kompany sources have exclusively revealed that PSG pair Joao Neves and Bradley Barcola have caught City’s eye. Their recent performances against Liverpool and Rennes have impressed Manchester City scouts. But despite this, you do sense that the pair may be unattainable from a City point of view.

In the case of Joao Neves, Esteemed Kompany sources explained that his performance against Liverpool during PSG’s 1-nil defeat in their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie first leg last week impressed Manchester City’s scouts. His ability in possession caught the eye, as has his ability to dictate the tempo of such a high-pressure match and occasion. Although PSG lost the game they were the dominant team on the night. Joao Neves was at the heart of PSG’s play alongside Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz in midfield for Luis Enrique’s side. His overall game does appear to be ideally suited to life in a Pep Guardiola side.

Bradley Barcola has also impressed Manchester City’s scouts Esteemed Kompany has learned. In particular, his performance during PSG’s 4-1 win over Rennes at the weekend impressed Manchester City’s scouts. The winger scored a goal and added an assist in a dominant display on the left wing. Barcola was a constant threat to the Rennes defence and his game and attributes would greatly improve Manchester City’s attacking play.

It’s easy to see why PSG pair Joao Neves and Bradley Barcola have impressed Manchester City’s scouts but signing them in the summer may prove to be difficult.

There is no doubt that if Manchester City could sign one of Joao Neves or Bradley Barcola they would greatly improve Pep Guardiola’s squad. Both players are superb young players and they are already key members of Luis Enrique’s squad. We saw during PSG’s 4-2 win over Manchester City at the Parc des Princes in January just how devastating the pair can be. Joao Neves dictated that game in midfield that night and Barcola gave Matheus Nunes a torrid time at right-back. Both players have the attributes that Manchester City so desperately need in January.

Joao Neves, in particular, is a player who’d immensely improve Manchester City’s midfield. You could easily see him replacing one of Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan or Bernardo Silva. The young Portuguese international does appear destined for the very top and his game looks to have gone to another level at PSG this season.

In the case of Bradley Barcola, he’d add more of a goal threat to Manchester City’s wing play. He looks to be a bit more developed than either Jeremy Doku or Savinho are at this stage of their careers. His pace, dribbling, eye for goal and a pass and technical ability would add to Pep Guardiola’s squad.

But there is one issue. It appears unlikely that PSG would sell either of Joao Neves or Bradley Barcola in the summer. They are key pieces of Luis Enrique’s squad and also look to be key pillars of PSG’s future. For now, they have undoubtedly impressed Manchester City scouts, but they may be unattainable in the summer transfer window.