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Sergio Busquets hints at reunion with Manchester City-bound Pep Guardiola amid Barcelona contract wranglings

The midfielder, who has also attracted interest at Paris Saint-Germain, is in line for a new contract at the Nou Camp

Mark Critchley
Tuesday 09 February 2016 13:59 GMT
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Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets
Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets (Getty Images)

Sergio Busquets has hinted that he could leave Barcelona and follow his former manager Pep Guardiola to Manchester City.

The defensive midfielder, whose current deal at the Nou Camp is set to expire in 2019, is believed to be attracting interest from the Citizens as well as Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

His agent Josep Maria Orobitg, who also represents Guardiola, is reportedly keen to see fresh contract negotiations open between his client and Barcelona, but has touted Busquets’ services to some of European football’s elite in the meantime.

Busquets himself has now admitted that he could be convinced to leave the Catalan club if the opportunity to reunite with his former manager arose.

"I've always said that there are only two people that can change my decision to be here,” he told ESPN.

“One is my wife, who right now is here and is a Barcelona fan, so I don't think there is going to be a problem on a personal level. On a sporting level the other person would be Guardiola.

"It's clear that I owe Guardiola a lot and for me to work with him would be an honour," he added.

Busquets did, however, cast doubt on whether the inbound-Manchester City manager would attempt to prise him from his boyhood club.

"He knows that this is my club and his too, and that the best for me and the club is that I'm here and I don't think he's going to ask for me,” the 27-year-old said.

Barcelona have reportedly promised Busquets a new deal and a significant pay rise in the future but the club are limited by their internal financial controls.

With the likes of Neymar and Lionel Messi also in line for a pay hike, the midfielder’s demands may be seen as less of a priority.

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