Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reportedly identified an Inter Milan midfielder as an ideal signing for the future.
Having watched the likes of Julian Alvarez move on to a different club in the summer, Guardiola has arguably weakened his squad during the off-season.
Although he was initially comfortable with the numbers that he had at his disposal, the injury to Rodri has thrown a spanner into the work.
While it has not been confirmed, the Spanish midfielder is expected to be absent in the long term with the ACL injury that he sustained against Arsenal on Sunday.
Guardiola is able to deploy the likes of Rico Lewis, John Stones, Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan in the engine room as a straight alternative to Rodri.
Nevertheless, it appears that Guardiola is open to the idea of acquiring another major name for his midfield at some point in 2025.
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Guardiola 'in love' with player
According to InterLive.It, Guardiola has fallen in love with the idea of signing Nicolo Barella.
He is said to want City officials to push hard for the addition of the Italy international as soon as possible, most likely next summer.
Barella has spent the last five years in the colours of Inter, contributing 23 goals and 52 assists from his 240 appearances in all competitions.
Two Serie A titles have been won during that period, contributing to Inter pulling out the stops to negotiate a contract extension until 2029.
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Will contract length stop transfer?
Inter are clearly in an extremely strong position with regards to the future of Barella, yet that does not necessarily mean that a transfer cannot materialise.
City are in an equally commanding spot with regards to the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules, and have the funds to complete a deal.
The report suggests that a proposal of €80m (£66.6m) would need to be presented to Inter for a sale to be considered, a figure well within City's range.
Guardiola has witnessed first hand the influence of Barella, City's two results against Inter being a 1-0 triumph in the Champions League final and a goalless draw at the Etihad Stadium last week.
Darren Plant
