Guardiola Requests £64M Double Swoop for Barcelona Duo as Manchester City Plan to Hijack Manchester United Targets
Pep Guardiola has reportedly instructed Manchester City to pursue an ambitious £64 million double swoop for two rising stars at FC Barcelona, in what is being described as a strategic hijack of Manchester United’s transfer plans. The Catalan coach, keen to reshape and rejuvenate his squad following Kyle Walker’s departure and amid growing competition both domestically and in Europe, has now turned his attention to Barcelona’s talented midfield duo: Fermín López and Marc Casadó.
According to multiple reports, both players have been on Manchester United’s radar for months, but Guardiola has now taken a personal interest in the pair, urging City to act swiftly and decisively. The two prospects, known for their tactical intelligence, composure on the ball, and maturity beyond their years, could cost around £64 million combined — a fee Manchester City are willing to pay to fend off interest from their city rivals and secure the future of their midfield.
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🧠 Why Guardiola Wants Them
Pep Guardiola has always valued versatility, intelligence, and technical precision — attributes that both Fermín López and Marc Casadó embody. A former Barcelona manager himself, Guardiola keeps a close eye on La Masia graduates and has a deep appreciation for the club’s footballing philosophy. In Fermín and Casadó, he sees two players who not only understand the positional play he demands but are also young enough to mould into long-term stars at the Etihad.
With Ilkay Gündoğan gone, Kalvin Phillips out of favour, and Bernardo Silva continually linked with moves away from City, the need for midfield reinforcements is clear. Guardiola wants fresh legs, youthful dynamism, and players who can slot seamlessly into his high-possession, high-intensity blueprint.
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🔍 Who is Fermín López?
Fermín López, 21, had a breakthrough campaign with Barcelona in the 2023–24 season. A technically gifted, right-footed central midfielder, López impressed with his intelligent movement, ball control, and eye for goal. His knack for arriving late into the box, reminiscent of a young Gündoğan, makes him an appealing option for Guardiola.
He scored several vital goals last season, including in high-pressure La Liga and Champions League fixtures, and showed he could thrive even when Barça struggled as a team. Comfortable as a No. 8 or an advanced playmaker, López is also fearless — a trait Guardiola cherishes in young players.
Manchester United had made initial enquiries for López earlier in the summer, hoping to lure him with promises of more game time and a central role in their midfield rebuild. However, City’s recent intervention — driven by Guardiola himself — has shifted the momentum.
Barcelona, battling financial difficulties, are open to offers for several academy products. Though they would prefer to keep Fermín, a £35 million bid from City could be too tempting to refuse, especially if structured with add-ons and a potential buy-back clause.
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🔍 Who is Marc Casadó?
Marc Casadó, 20, is another La Masia product attracting serious attention. A natural defensive midfielder, Casadó is known for his positional awareness, disciplined tackling, and calm distribution under pressure. He captained Barcelona B and made several appearances for the senior team, often deployed as a pivot in the 4-3-3 setup.
Casadó has been compared to a young Sergio Busquets — not just for his role but for his footballing brain. Though not physically imposing, he reads the game brilliantly, intercepts danger early, and has a knack for recycling possession with elegance.
Manchester United’s scouts have monitored Casadó extensively, believing he could be developed into a long-term solution in defensive midfield. Erik ten Hag is understood to be an admirer, especially as he considers future alternatives to Casemiro. But Guardiola’s late move could derail those plans.
City believe that Casadó, available for around £29 million, could be a low-risk, high-upside investment. With Rodri currently without a natural understudy and Phillips likely to be sold, Casadó could learn under the best while contributing in cup competitions and as part of squad rotation.
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💼 City’s Transfer Strategy: Talent + Timing
Manchester City’s approach under Guardiola has often blended world-class signings with high-potential youth acquisitions. The likes of Phil Foden, Rico Lewis, and Oscar Bobb have all benefited from Guardiola’s faith in youth, and the potential signings of Fermín and Casadó fit this blueprint perfectly.
Guardiola’s long-standing ties to Barcelona give him unique insight into the club’s talent pool. He reportedly sees both players as undervalued gems that could thrive in the Premier League with the right mentorship and tactical development. Furthermore, by snatching them from under Manchester United’s nose, Guardiola would be striking a psychological and strategic blow against a major rival.
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🔄 Barcelona’s Dilemma: Sell or Gamble?
Financial issues continue to haunt FC Barcelona. Despite Joan Laporta’s public statements of confidence, the club is still navigating La Liga’s salary cap regulations and has limited room for major signings. Selling academy players — who cost nothing to develop — represents pure profit on the books, making López and Casadó prime candidates for sale.
The question is whether Barcelona are willing to lose two of their most promising midfielders in one swoop, especially to a club as powerful as City. While they could attempt to include buy-back clauses or future sell-on percentages, there’s an increasing sense in Catalonia that financial necessity might force their hand.
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🚨 Manchester United Left Scrambling?
Should City land both players, it would be a significant setback for Manchester United, who have been working quietly behind the scenes to secure both talents. United’s midfield plans already face hurdles, with ongoing issues surrounding Casemiro’s wages, uncertainty over Christian Eriksen, and the potential exit of Scott McTominay. Missing out on two major targets to their neighbours could force the Red Devils to reassess their summer plans.
Ten Hag’s project at Old Trafford is focused on building a younger, hungrier squad with technical quality and tactical flexibility. Losing Fermín and Casadó to Guardiola would represent more than just a missed opportunity — it would be a statement that United cannot yet compete with City in elite talent acquisition.
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🏁 Final Thoughts
Pep Guardiola has made it clear: Manchester City will not stand still. After years of domination, the hunger for evolution remains, and this latest push for Fermín López and Marc Casadó shows Guardiola is building not just for the present, but for the next generation.
The £64 million double swoop would reinforce City’s midfield with two of Spain’s brightest young players and deal a crushing blow to Manchester United’s summer plans. Talks are expected to accelerate in the coming days, and should a deal be struck, it could be one of the defining moves of the summer.
In a transfer window full of twists, this Guardiola-led hijack may be the boldest yet. ⏳💥
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