Manchester City target transfer for Barcelona defender as clubs face contract war | OneFootball

Barcelona are facing the threat of losing one of their primary emerging talents to European rivals Manchester City in the coming days and weeks, according to reports.

It is the latest young defensive name to be linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium over the last few days, as the Premier League giants continue to eye a restructure of their first-team options and build for the future.

There is a common belief throughout the club that Pep Guardiola’s side requires some sort of rebuild across the two transfer markets in 2025, handing their legendary Catalan coach to build a squad that can continue to compete for major silverware beyond his reign.

Among the names to have been linked with a move to Manchester City in central defensive positions are AIK Freetong’s Juma Bah as well as RC Lens’ Abdukodir Khusanov, with the latter deemed to be a more likely solution to come in this month.

However, one further profile that could be viewed as a more longer-term project for both Manchester City and the wider City Football Group has emerged in the media this week, developing through the esteemed Barcelona Academy system.

That is according to the information of journalist Matteo Moretto, who reports that Barcelona under-18 defender Baba Kourouma – the brother of Ilaix Moriba – is attracting interest from City, but remains in negotiations with his current club over the renewal of his contract.

The 15-year-old talent, upon turning 16, will be able to sign his first professional contract in the game, although there is already reportedly competition from the Premier League champions, who would like to loan him to one of the other clubs within the City Group.

For now, the report makes it clear that Baba Kourouma’s priority is to remain with Barcelona and sign a contract with the La Liga club, ​​but any agreement between the two parties must be closed in the next few weeks.

Manchester City and Barcelona are no strangers when it comes to transfer business exchanged between the two clubs, with several deals completed involving the sides over recent markets, largely in the direction of Camp Nou.

Among the names to have swapped Pep Guardiola’s side for FC Barcelona in recent years in big-money transfers, loan deals, and free agent moves are Ferran Torres, Joao Cancelo, and Sergio Aguero.

Last summer did bring about a move in the opposite direction, as Ilkay Gundogan and Manchester City took advantage of Barcelona’s precarious financial position to bring the German midfielder back to the Etihad Stadium on a free transfer.