Pep Guardiola Sneaks Into Barça's Plans, Agrees with Flick: €50M Signing

FC Barcelona is clear that, beyond strengthening the forward line, its main priority for the next season is to improve the defense. Hansi Flick, the coach of the blaugrana team, has focused his attention on the left side of the defense. Currently, Gerard Martín, who hasn't managed to establish himself as an undisputed starter, is most likely to be loaned out to continue his development.

The club is looking for a wing-back who offers better performance both in defense and attack, with the intention of bringing dynamism and solidity to that area of the field. However, what seemed to be an internal operation of FC Barcelona has taken an unexpected turn.

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City's coach, is also looking to strengthen the left side of the defense, and the name that has emerged as a possible signing for both teams is Álvaro Carreras. The Spanish full-back has been linked to both clubs in recent months, which has caused fierce competition to secure his services.

Manchester City's Crisis and Interest in Álvaro Carreras

Manchester City is going through a crisis of results and, as a result, changes in the squad are looming for the next season. Pep Guardiola wants to strengthen several positions and one of the priorities is to find a pure left-back who can contribute more in attack.

The City coach is looking for a player with the ability to push forward on the wing and create dangerous plays, and Carreras fits perfectly into that description.

Meanwhile, Barça is also very interested in signing Álvaro Carreras. The left-back, trained at 'La Masia', who went through Manchester United before landing at Benfica, has shown a great level in the Portuguese league.

Álvaro Carreras has played 45 matches this season, scoring three goals and providing five assists. His versatility and performance have allowed him to stand out both in defense and in his ability to join the attack, making him an attractive option for both clubs.

Álvaro Carreras's Future and His Release Clause

The release clause of the 23-year-old full-back is set at 50 million euros. A figure that could be affordable for the two interested giants, although the competition between them could drive up the transfer price.

With Manchester City and Barça fighting for his signing, everything points to Álvaro Carreras's decision will depend on both the financial proposal and the sports project.

While Manchester City faces an internal renewal after a challenging season, Barça seeks to strengthen its squad to remain competitive in all competitions. In any case, it is a fact that the battle for Álvaro Carreras will be one of the focal points next transfer market.