Manchester City have abandoned their pursuit of Barcelona duo Sergi Roberto and Nelson Semedo despite reports continuing to link them with both.
City have been linked with the Barcelona right-backs for several months, with Pep Guardiola seemingly on the hunt for a new full-back this summer.
However, they have now ruled out making a move for either player, according to Marca and will seemingly focus their efforts elsewhere.
According to the newspaper, while both players are ‘transferable’ for Barcelona, who are desperate to raise cash before the end of this month, neither will be moving to the Etihad.
They explain that Manchester City have been ‘trying’ to sign Sergi Roberto for months, more than six in fact, but the ‘few contacts’ between the two parties have helped them to realise that a deal is not ‘feasible’.
That is due to the economic aspects of a potential deal, although Marca do not offer what the finances of a possible deal would be.
Regarding Semedo, it is claimed the Portuguese full-back has never really been in City’s plans and they are ‘not interested’ in his services.
He does not fit into the profile of player that Guardiola is looking looking for. In addition to that, it is not yet clear whether Joāo Cancelo will leave the Etihad this summer.
In fact, ‘everything points’ towards the defender, who has endured a challenging first year at the Etihad since moving last summer, staying at the club rather than moving on.
Should he stay, Manchester City would not need a replacement and thus wouldn’t be interested in either Roberto or Semedo at this point.
The latter, for his part, is determined to leave Barcelona this summer and they are likewise happy to let him go if they can get €40m.
That money, though, won’t be coming from Manchester City it seems.
