New Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has already impressed his critics, winning all the nine matches the Blues have faced in all competitions. Although they looked shaky last weekend at the Liberty Stadium with new faces they prevailed over the Swans with a decent 2-0 win.
But during the summer transfer window, the former Blaugrana boss had intended to lure both Lionel Messi and Neymar from Barcelona to the Etihad. According to reports from the Sun, officials from Manchester City held three conversations with the agents of each of the stars, but they were not convinced to leave the Nou Camp. When the Spaniard failed with this attempt, the former Bayern manager was left to go with the options of signing Nolito from Celta Vigo and Leroy Sane from Schalke.
Guardiola plans to sign Barcelona's talisman Messi comes as no surprise, after the unique relationship both of them shared during their time at Barcelona. The Argentine reached his peak under Guardiola winning back to back Balon d'Ors, transforming into a goal machine for the Blaugranas as a False Nine. Messi's performances not only bettered his records but he ended up enhancing Guardiola's managing reputations as well.
Also read: Kevin De Bruyne second only to Lionel Messi, says Pep Guardiola
Meanwhile, Neymar's rumoured negotiations are also not surprising, given that the Brazilian Olympic Gold medalist himself confirmed he spoke to "many clubs" in the summer transfer window. City surely was one of them, but the biggest offer big from Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain. But to achieve more at Barcelona, Neymar snubbed all the clubs to sign a contract extension.
And it seems like the duo has made the right decision staying, with the MSN frontline proving to be a hit for the Blaugrana’s once again this season although Messi is now set to be sidelined for up to a month with a groin injury.
But despite his failed attempts, Guardiola is already doing fine even without Messi and Neymar. The Spaniard attempts in evolving the current City team to one of the best is already on display. With new signings already proving their potential, we will have to wait to see how far the Citizens will fare this season. The Blues of Manchester already have made it ten out of ten wins in all competitions and now make a trip to Scotland as the face a Brendan Rodger led Celtic in the Champions League.
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