Man City and Chelsea interested in Barcelona talent amidst renewal crisis — report

Two English heavyweights are interested in acquiring the services of Barcelona midfielder, Ilaix Moriba. Said clubs are Premier and Champions League winners Manchester City and Chelsea respectively, as relayed by Spanish outlet Sport.

The 18-year-old has not been able to train with the first team, given his reluctance to sign a new deal.

With one year left on his contract, president Joan Laporta has given him an ultimatum: either he will extend his contract with the Catalans or return to the Juvenil A.

Several reports have claimed that Ilaix wants to stay at Barcelona, that Barca also want to keep him, but that his representatives have stalled negotiations.

Manchester Evening News have claimed that the two clubs have made advances for the Blaugrana, and that they’re willing to do anything to acquire him. The English superpowers have offered him more lucrative deals than those he currently has with the Catalans, taking advantage of the current renewal crisis.

As it stands, Ilaix earns €3 million per annum with the Garnet and Blue. The English have offered him €6 million, double what he earns with the Catalans, having already got in touch with his agents to find out about the situation.

Of the two, Pep Guardiola’s side, which has been known to make deals with La Masia players, has been the more persistent of the two. The former Barca manager has previously spoken of the midfielder and is clearly in awe. The allure of playing at the current English champions in itself might be enough of a pull to get him there.