English giants Manchester United and Manchester City are reportedly targeting Barcelona's prime holding midfielder, Sergio Busquets. The 27-year-old is currently in discussions with the club over the extension of his contract.
Busquets is regarded as one of the best midfielders to come out of the Barcelona's famed La Masia academy. Graduated and promoted in 2008 by then-manager Pep Guardiola, Busquets has gone on to establish himself as a mainstay in the Barcelona and Spain national team lineup.
Manchester United and Manchester City are on the lookout for an experienced central midfielder. While United are set to lose Michael Carrick in the summer, City are reportedly parting ways Yaya Toure and both of those players could be adequately replaced by the 27-year-old. He would, however, cost the Manchester clubs approximately £128 million and that's just the release clause.
Why? Because his passing is regarded as one of the best and has often been instrumental in singling out his role as one that has evolved only in the last few years. A 'deep-lying playmaker' wasn't a term used around often before the turn of the millennium but the likes of Busquets and compatriot Xabi Alonso has brought to light the position and the importance of it in the attacking teams of the present.
Racking up a successful pass percentage of 90.3%, he's one the best in the world of football in all positions. He's also got himself four assists this season and with all this combined will be a huge asset to any club he signs for – including the Manchester giants.
With the Catalans, he's won the UEFA Champions League thrice, the La Liga thrice and the Copa del Rey thrice. With Spain, he's won the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro. While he may seem the dream package for both the teams, the Spaniard isn't the only choice the two clubs are looking at.
SL Benfica's Renato Sanches has been a long-term target for Manchester United while Manchester City are reportedly interested in signing Arsenal's Jack Wilshere and Everton's Ross Barkley.
With Pep Guardiola set to take over the Etihad come the beginning of the new season, its highly likely he's going to target some of his ex-players and Busquets is – as reported often – one of his favourites. The Barcelona man has claimed that if he were to leave the Catalan club, it'd only be because his wife or Pep asked him to do so.
