Pep Guardiola plots sensational raid for Real Madrid midfielder

Manchester City have been linked with a sensational swoop for Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde who is said to be unhappy a the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Valverde, who can play in the centre of midfield as well as wide on the right and also at right back, joined Real Madrid from Penarol in July 2016 and has since established himself as a crucial member of the first-team squad.

While he is yet to become a first-choice midfielder for Los Blancos, the Uruguayan international is widely heralded as a long-term solution in the middle of the park for the club.

But the 23-year-old has started only one of the last nine games across all competitions under head coach Carlo Ancelotti, who has preferred to play with experienced trio Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro in his midfield.

According to Spanish publication El Nacional, the player is not satisfied with the amount of game time he is currently getting under Carlo Ancelotti and could seek a move.

The report adds that City could take advantage of the situation, and are “considering the idea of making a firm offer at the end of this campaign, at the request of Pep Guardiola“.

In addition, Guardiola believes Valverde’s “incredible fitness fits perfectly in the Premier League “, and City could make a very tempting offer to “get him out of Madrid”.

Valverde, who is also attracting interest from the likes of Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, is under contract at Real Madrid until June 2027.

Manchester City are well stocked in midfield as it is, but could enter the market for a central midfielder in the summer transfer window as club captain Fernandinho is in the twilight of his career.

With Rodri being the first-choice holding midfielder, signing a player like Valverde would beef up the midfield as he has the versatility to play in a number of roles.