Transfer Talk: Barca eye City raid to seal Guardiola homecoming

Barcelona will reportedly raid Manchester City for boss Pep Guardiola, midfielder Rodri and striker Julian Alvarez if the Premier League champions are hammered by sanctions for breaking financial rules. 

Guardiola, 52, has come out fighting with City facing serious penalties for more than 100 breaches of the English top flight’s regulations. 

But Spanish outlet Fichajes claim LaLiga giants Barca will keep a close eye on how things play out at the Etihad in the coming months. 

While Xavi’s men currently sit nine points clear at the top of the table, a Guardiola homecoming would be welcomed by the Camp Nou faithful. 

Safe hands

Liverpool are lining up Dutch keeper Bart Verbruggen as the long-term successor to Alisson Becker, according to The Sun

Verbruggen, 20 has impressed with Belgian side Anderlecht this season and Anfield scouts have put him at the top of their summer shopping list. 

The Reds know there is a strong chance they will lose back-up stopper Caoimhin Kelleher at the end of the season, leaving current No1 Alisson short of competition. 

Given his age, Liverpool believe 6ft 4in Verbruggen is perfectly placed to push the 30-year-old Brazilian and eventually replace him when the time is right. 

In other news

Caughtoffside claim Newcastle are leading Liverpool and Barcelona in the race to sign Eintracht Frankfurt and Japan midfielder Daichi Kamada, 26. 

According to multiple sources, France midfielder Adrien Rabiot, 27, does not know what will happen when his Juventus deal expires this summer. 

Crystal Palace are keeping tabs on Celtic and Japan forward Kyogo Furuhashi, 28, say Football Insider