Guardiola Offers Barcelona a Blockbuster Swap: Pedri for 25-Year-Old Man City Midfielder

Pep Guardiola has once again set his sights on Barcelona’s midfield prodigy Pedri González. The Manchester City boss remains a huge admirer of the Spanish international and sees him as a long-term solution for his midfield. With City looking to strengthen their squad following the departure of key players, Guardiola is reportedly prepared to offer Barcelona an enticing swap deal to bring Pedri to the Etihad.

Manchester City recently suffered a double setback in their attacking department. Julián Álvarez has officially left for Atlético Madrid, while Oscar Bobb, one of Guardiola’s breakout stars in pre-season, has been sidelined for months due to a severe injury. This has forced City to reconsider their options in the transfer market, despite the recent signing of Brazilian winger Savio Moreira.

Amid these developments, Guardiola has renewed his interest in Pedri, a player he has admired for years. The City manager previously attempted to sign the Barcelona midfielder but was met with resistance from Joan Laporta, who refused to entertain any offers for the Canary Islander. However, the situation has changed dramatically following Xavi Hernández’s departure and the appointment of Hans-Dieter Flick as Barça’s new head coach.

Unlike Xavi, who considered Pedri a key part of Barcelona’s future, Flick does not see the 21-year-old as an untouchable asset. With midfield options such as Frenkie de Jong, Ilkay Gündogan, Fermín López, and new signing Dani Olmo available, the club is more open to considering offers for Pedri. While losing the young star would undoubtedly be a significant change, Barcelona believes they could cope without him, provided the right offer comes in.

Barcelona has reportedly set Pedri’s valuation at over €80 million, a figure Manchester City can comfortably afford. However, rather than paying the full amount in cash, City are looking to reduce the cost by including a player in the deal. Guardiola is reportedly willing to send Matheus Nunes to Camp Nou in exchange, a player who has struggled to make an impact since his arrival at City last summer.

The Portuguese international was signed from Wolves in 2023 for a significant fee, but he has failed to establish himself in Guardiola’s first team. With limited game time and underwhelming performances, Nunes has found himself on the fringes of the squad. Guardiola sees this as an opportunity to offload a player who does not fit his long-term plans while securing Pedri, a midfielder who could be a natural successor to Kevin De Bruyne.

De Bruyne has already hinted at a potential move to Saudi Arabia in 2025, where he could sign one final lucrative contract before the end of his career. With this in mind, City are planning ahead and believe Pedri possesses the technical ability, intelligence, and vision to fill the void left by the Belgian playmaker. Guardiola is convinced that the Barcelona star could thrive in the Premier League under his guidance.

Barcelona, meanwhile, faces a dilemma. While Pedri remains a fan favorite and one of La Masia’s brightest talents in recent years, his persistent injury problems have raised concerns. The club’s financial struggles also mean they must carefully evaluate every major offer that comes their way. Selling Pedri for a significant sum—or negotiating a swap for a player like Nunes, who could bring much-needed physicality to their midfield—could be a move worth considering.

Flick’s arrival at Camp Nou has introduced a more pragmatic approach to squad management. Unlike Xavi, who built his system around Pedri’s creativity, Flick prefers a more balanced midfield structure. The German coach values versatility and energy, traits that Nunes could bring if he were to join Barça. This makes the potential swap deal an intriguing possibility for both clubs.

However, Barcelona fans might not be too keen on seeing one of their most talented midfielders leave, especially in exchange for a player who has yet to prove himself at the highest level. Nunes has talent, but many believe he is not at Pedri’s level, which could make the swap deal unpopular among supporters.

For Guardiola, this transfer would be another masterstroke in squad planning. With De Bruyne’s departure on the horizon and City constantly evolving, securing a young and dynamic midfielder like Pedri would ensure they remain dominant in both the Premier League and Europe for years to come.

Negotiations between the two clubs are expected to be complex. While City are confident in their ability to lure Pedri away, Barcelona’s final decision will depend on several factors, including Flick’s assessment of Nunes and whether the financial benefits outweigh the sporting loss.

Regardless of how the talks unfold, one thing is clear: Guardiola is not giving up on Pedri, and Manchester City are prepared to go all out to bring the Spanish star to England. With the transfer window heating up, all eyes will be on Barcelona and whether they are willing to sacrifice one of their biggest assets for a fresh midfield reinforcement.