Pep Guardiola Reportedly Eyed by Paris Saint-Germain Amid Premier League Rumours

Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly joined the Premier League's elite in the race to land departing Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola in the summer.

That's according to the Mirror's Darren Lewis.

However, according to L'Equipe (h/t AS), the Spaniard's agent, Josep Maria Orobitg, said: "I have never spoken to the president of PSG, not recently or at any time in the past. I have had contact with his sporting director [Olivier Letang], but that was to speak about one of my players. We have never discussed Pep's situation and PSG have not asked me anything about his plans."

Orobitg said he would be "very surprised" if Guardiola had been contacted directly, adding: 

"

He hasn't said anything to me. In any case, it's not something that we are considering at the moment. The Premier League is a big possibility. Pep will make a decision in two or three months' time. Everything remains a possibility, including a sabbatical year.

"

Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press

PSG coach Laurent Blanc has won eight trophies in the French capital, and with a 19-point lead at the top of Ligue 1, he looks certain to win the title for the third consecutive season. However, according to Transfermarkt, the Frenchman's contract expires at the end of the season, meaning they could also be in the hunt for a new manager in the summer.

Les Parisiens certainly have the riches to afford Guardiola, and having appointed the likes of Carlo Ancelotti in the past, they've shown they have the pulling power to attract top coaches.

In the Premier League, Lewis further notes Manchester City are seen as the favourites to snap up the Spaniard, while Chelsea "have made a counteroffer" in a bid to persuade him to come to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues will need to hire a permanent manager in the summer following the dismissal of Jose Mourinho, as his replacement, Guus Hiddink, is merely an interim.

Meanwhile, Manuel Pellegrini has arguably underperformed with the players and resources available to him, and he has the air of a placeholder meant to keep the club ticking along until a bigger name can be brought in.

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

Manchester United have also been touted as a possible destination for Guardiola, as incumbent manager Louis van Gaal is under enormous pressure to turn around the club's dire performances and results and could soon see his tenure at Old Trafford come to an end.

According to Jeremy Cross of the Daily Star, the 44-year-old has told friends he could be heading for United. Cross also quoted an unnamed source, who said:

"

Pep always found the club fascinating. He likes clubs with huge tradition and United certainly have this.

He won't be short of options when it comes to deciding his next move and Manchester City are an ambitious club. But United could still prove to be the more attractive proposition.

"

Football writer Liam Canning believes he would opt for City, though:

"

I think Guardiola will opt for #MCFC. He won't have to work with Ed Woodward, there's structure in place and Txiki Begiristain is there.

— Liam (@OffsideLiam) December 16, 2015"

Either way, the Premier League seems Guardiola's preferred destination, and the competitiveness of the league would likely make the prospect of managing there a more tempting proposition for an ambitious manager.

There's undoubtedly going to be a bidding war for his services with a number of elite European clubs pursuing him, but expect him to be plying his trade in England next season.