by Xabi Alonso has reportedly asked Manchester City for a €100m signing, a key ‘condition’ for succeeding Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.
Speech on Friday Guardiola said he still had to make a “decision” but admitted “a part of him” would leave when sporting director Txiki Begiristain moves on in the summer.
“I have to decide. I don’t want to talk about it. I’ve said this many times, and hopefully you won’t ask me again.
“I haven’t made a decision yet. If I take it, I will definitely let you know 100 percent. There is no news and I have nothing else to add.”
On Begiristain, he added: “Part of me is leaving, I would say. A friend of mine and one of the architects of one of the best teams of all time from Barcelona and now here.
“I knew about the decision for a long time for family and personal reasons and know how grateful he is for this experience here.
“Personally he will be greatly missed. He helped me a lot during my time in Barcelona and of course here.
“But I think the club is so solid and incredibly well structured. That’s how it has to be. All families must move on and the club will move on.”
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Apparently, Saudi Pro League clubs are lining up until the signing of Guardiola, while Brazil have reportedly already done so I contacted the Catalan and made him a “very tempting” offer.
Guardiola is keen not to let City down and reports suggest he will not make City wait too much longer before deciding whether to stay or go. On Friday, he confirmed that he would give his opinion on who he thinks would be a good replacement.
“Of course, given the relationship I have, I will express my opinion if they ask me, but that is not my job. The decision is made by them, not me. It belongs to the club,” said Guardiola.
“I would express my opinion as a friend after spending incredible moments together, but it has to be the club. I would say the new sports director will have to make a decision as soon as I’m no longer here.”
A report in Spain claims Alonso’s name is “the name that sounds the strongest” but the Bayer Leverkusen coach has a “complaint”.
It is claimed he has “made it clear that he will need Florian Wirtz if he is to take up the challenge of leading Manchester City”.
The 22-year-old has already been linked with City as a possible replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, who may move to Saudi Arabia at the end of the season.
Alonso “has asked the Manchester City board to do everything they can to sign his current student as he sees him as the perfect fit to lead City’s midfield in the Premier League.”
