According to Mundo Deportivo, Manchester City are interested in Ilaix Moriba. The FC Barcelona prodigy is facing an uncertain future with the club, as the player is holding out for a pay raise. Moriba, whose contract expires at the end of the season, has no shortage of suitors this summer with RB Leipzig and Chelsea interested in his services, but it is Manchester City who are eyeing a Bosman move for the midfielder in 2022.
Ilaix Moriba: A Future Star In The Making?
Ilaix Moriba is a product of the famed La Masia youth academy and is even one of the shining jewels of the setup. A central midfielder by trade, the youngster has enjoyed a rapid rise to prominence, with many experts in Spain considering him to be the next big star for FC Barcelona.
However, Moriba has found it difficult to make his breakthrough at Camp Nou just yet. He did make 14 league appearances last term, but it would be a matter of time before he gets regarded in the same category as the first-team players like Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong and Miralem Pjanic.
His lack of game-time, though, is not taken well by the player’s representatives. There are also many in the Barca camp who are not a fan of the youngster’s “spoiled” mentality and undisciplined character.
Nevertheless, Moriba is still highly rated because of his technical abilities and quality on the ball. At just 18, the midfielder is blessed with brilliant composure that allows him to dictate play in the middle of the park while the player is also capable of driving forward with the ball, making him an excellent outlet in the build-up play.
A Good Option For Manchester City?
Manchester City have every right to step in and take advantage of Ilaix Moriba’s precarious situation at Barcelona. The player does have a lot of prospects at Camp Nou but the lack of a proper payout could see him tempted to a move to Etihad Stadium and that too for a free transfer next summer.
At Man City, the young Spaniard could prove to be an ideal asset in midfield, alongside the likes of Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan. The Citizens have indeed lacked depth in the middle of the park following the departure of David Silva and Moriba can ideally fill that void next season.
The youngster’s technical brilliance should tune in well with Pep Guardiola’s style of play. The coach himself is familiar with the brand of football Moriba has been taught at Barca, so it shouldn’t take him long to settle in at Etihad.
At the age of 18, Moriba has a higher ceiling than most of the players of his group and for a potential free transfer, he could be an absolute bargain for the English champions next summer.
