Transfer Centre

Pep Guardiola: 'Manchester City may not be able to hang on to Brahim Diaz'

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 15 September 2017

Manchester City may not be able to keep highly-rated academy product Brahim Diaz if a team like Real Madrid comes calling, according to Pep Guardiola.

Pep Guardiola has conceded that Manchester City may not be able to prevent highly-rated youngster Brahim Diaz from joining another club.

The 18-year-old Spaniard, who joined the City academy at the age of 14, is reportedly attracting the interest of European champions Real Madrid.

Diaz signed a three-year professional contract with City last year and Guardiola feels that his compatriot is committed to the club, but is unsure what would happen if the midfielder were swayed by the Spanish giants.

The former Barcelona boss told reporters on Friday: "We want him but today the market is the market - the wishes from the clubs, maybe we cannot control it," he said.

"I know - because we spoke with him many times - the commitment from that guy, Brahim, to stay here and play for Manchester City because Manchester City gave him the opportunity to start to compete in the high level. He grew up, his family are happy here, but you never know.

"We are going to try, of course, to hear him but he has to know at Madrid, Dortmund, here, the top level, it is not easy to play. In the end it will be decided by his performances on the pitch."

City lost one of their key academy prospects, 17-year-old Jadon Sancho, to Borussia Dortmund in an £8m deal last month.