MANCHESTER City are prepared to offer Oleksander Zinchenko to Barcelona in a shock transfer, according to reports.
The rumours come as the wrangling over Eric Garcia by the two clubs continues.
Zinchenko has yet to appear this season because of injury but has been linked with a move awayCredit: Getty – Contributor
Eric Garcia could leave on a free next summer if a new deal is not agreedCredit: PA:Press Association
Zinchenko has become an important squad player for Pep Guardiola’s Man City but reports from Spain suggest they are open to selling him.
Mundo Deportivo report that City may even offer the Ukrainian player to the club.
Barcelona, undergoing a massive rebuild, are reportedly interested but no negotiations have begun yet.
Zinchenko, 23, has played a versatile role at the Etihad since he arrived in 2016.
Although he is classed as a midfielder, City fans are more used to seeing him filling in at left-back for Benjamin Mendy.
His youth and flexibility could be attractive to Ronald Koeman as he slims down the numbers in his squad.
Zinchenko is yet to appear this season because of a muscle injury but he played 25 times for the club last season across all competitions.
He was absent for yesterday’s 5-2 defeat against Leicester where Eric Garcia gave away a penalty and was run ragged by Jamie Vardy.
Jules Kounde has been linked with a move as City look to fix their dodgy defenceCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Garcia has been the centre of a transfer link to Barcelona and he could be off if City are able to bring in a replacement.
The club are rumoured to be interested in Sevilla’s Jules Kounde and look close to securing Benfica’s Ruben Dias.
That deal could open the door for Garcia to leave, with the defender having so far refused to sign a new contract and instead allowing the final year of his deal to run down.
He would then depart for Barca on a free next summer, reports suggest.
This is despite claims that City have weighed up a take it or leave it £14million offer to force the Spanish club’s hand.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
