Pep Guardiola dined with Barcelona president Joan Laporta this weekend with the Catalan club targeting three of Manchester City ’s first-team stars.
Guardiola is in Catalonia to play at the Legends Trophy at the Empordà Golf Club, with City’s Director of Football Txiki Begiristain also present. Ahead of participating in the golf tournament on Monday, the City boss met up with his former Barca president Laporta at a well-known restaurant in the city.
Cancelo joined Bayern Munich on a loan deal in January for the remainder of the campaign but he will now return to the Etihad this summer. The Portuguese international is expected to be put up for sale on a permanent basis by the Premier League champions with Barca among the clubs interested.
The 29-year-old defender left City after an alleged falling out with boss Guardiola over a lack of game-time. His fall from prominence in Manchester came as somewhat of a surprise after playing a pivotal role in their success over several seasons.
Xavi – who is currently on holiday and was not present at Guardiola’s dinner, as outlined by El Mundo Deportivo – recently told Catalan media outlet TV3 of their failed attempts to sign the player in January: "We wanted Cancelo. They offered him to us and we gave the OK. In the end they tell us that Manchester City do not want him to come to Barca. That is true."
In the same interview, the Barca boss said of Gundogan: “Look, the only thing I can share is that any footballer we are going to sign and that we have the chance to talk to wants to come. They all want to come to Barca.”
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Xavi, who also namedropped Silva as a player he admires in the wide-ranging interview, continued of Gundogan: “What worries me the most is not the situation of the player who is released, I am concerned about the situation of 'fair play'. That is the one thing that worries me the most.”
On Monday, Guardiola spoke directly of Barca’s interest in Gundogan, who is out of contract this month: “I know that they are very interested and City are also very interested. We are both very interested. I hope he stays with us, but if he finally decides to go to Barca, he will make an extraordinary signing.”
Portugal international Silva has been on Barcelona ’s wanted list for over a year with boss Xavi confirming they wanted a deal last summer, which did not come to fruition. Silva is also a transfer target for Paris Saint-Germain, who are looking to replace the outgoing Lionel Messi.
