Manchester City Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Juan Bernat and Orbelin Pineda

Manchester City are to reportedly launch a £20 million bid for Bayern Munich full-back Juan Bernat.

That’s according to Fred Nathan of the Sun, who also noted that manager Pep Guardiola is interested in landing David Alaba from the German champions. However, given Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has already suggested the Austrian will not be leaving, per Steve Goodman of the Sunday Mirror, Bernat is the more likely acquisition.

Guardiola was in charge of Bayern for three years before he made the move to Manchester City ahead of the current campaign; he signed Bernat in 2014 from Valencia.

Although primarily a back-up option to Alaba at the Allianz Arena, Bernat, 23, has turned in some impressive displays since joining the club. Here’s a glimpse of what he can offer:

According to an “Etihad insider” cited in Nathan’s article, Bernat “knows Pep's methods and systems and fits the right age profile,” making him an ideal potential capture.

The full-back spots have always been key in Guardiola teams. While most elite sides have their right-back and left-back push on, in the former Barcelona boss’ squad they must be versatile; at Bayern there were times when Alaba and Philipp Lahm would push into central berths, allowing the wingers to maintain width high up the pitch.

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The current options at the Etihad Stadum aren’t so adaptable. As Matt Dickinson of the Times noted ahead of City’s recent clash with Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League, the full-back positions are weak points in Guardiola’s squad:

Bernat is at his best when using his searing pace to bomb into advanced positions on the left flank, something that neither Aleksandar Kolarov nor Gael Clichy are capable of doing with similar incision. Additionally, the Spain international is technically adept enough to move inside if needed.

Working with Guardiola again and getting regular minutes would no doubt appeal to Bernat. If Bayern were able to pick up a sizeable fee for the Spaniard, it’s a transfer that may well suit all parties.

City Interest in Orbelin Pineda Discussed

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Chivas manager Matias Almeyda has played down speculation linking impressive young midfielder Orbelin Pineda with a move to Manchester City.

Per Itapunta (h/t Tom Coast of Sport Witness), he stated there is “nothing concrete” in suggestions that City want to secure the 20-year-old starlet. The coach did state that Pineda “will eventually need to end up in a great club, as he has the ability and the characteristics” to thrive at the highest level.

Pineda has been in excellent form for Chivas as of late, providing an inventive and incisive edge in the middle of the park for the Guadalajara outfit. Here’s a look at what he can offer at his best:

Of course, there’s still a lot of developing for the Mexico international to do, but it’s easy to see why City are tracking him. For a player who’s still young, he’s extremely intelligent.

ESPN FC’s Tom Marshall isn’t surprised by reports linking Pineda to one of European football’s best sides:

As noted by Coast, Chivas owner Jorge Vergara has stated recently that the playmaker will remain with the club for a “good while.” Given the key role he’s been handed in the side, that seems the most sensible course of action for his development.

However, having snapped up Gabriel Jesus, Marlos Moreno and Oleksandr Zinchenko in the previous window, it’s clear City are making a big effort to sign some stars of the future. Pineda needs to continue turning in consistent displays with Chivas to show he belongs in that bracket.