Manchester City have set their sights on Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsí, according to today’s AS.
The 17-year-old graduated from the La Liga side’s academy and made his first team debut against Unionistas de Salamanca in the Copa del Rey last week. At the weekend, Xavi Hernández handed him his first start in Barca’s league win over Real Betis.
His development has caught Pep Guardiola’s attention and the report says the Manchester City manager has been ‘following with interest’.
It’s said Guardiola ‘falls in love’ with the centre-back and is well aware of his evolution, even though pursuing this operation ‘could mean a major internal conflict for obvious sentimental reasons’ given his Barcelona connections.
The Manchester City coach’s admiration for the Spain U17 international is known at the Camp Nou. Barca have secured his future by renewing his contract until 2026.
When discussing Cubarsí’s profile, AS say he’s a ‘perfect mix’ of Carles Puyol and Gerard Piqué.
They add that Cubarsí’s coaches state: ‘He’s an eminently tactical player, who knows how to read games and who internalises well the knowledge they transmit to him.’
The young star is expected to return to the youth team once Andreas Christensen or Iñigo Martínez regain full fitness.
