Pep Guardiola expects Serie A midfielder to join him from next season | OneFootball

Tuttosport have revealed that Pep Guardiola is ‘bewitched’ by Manchester City youngster Ivan Ilic and expects him to be a senior team player at the Etihad next season.

While many Manchester City loanees are shuffled around Europe, or throughout the different City Football Group clubs, the report, which was relayed by Sport Witness, states that Ilic could be on his way back to the Etihad for a future with the first team.

Although the player is on loan at Serie A side Hellas Verona and recent reports have stated that a deal to make his move permanent for €12 million is on the cards, those same reports from Hellas 1903 have revealed that the Premier League will likely stick a buy-back clause in the contract, expected to be in the region of €24 million for the Serbian.

Ilic is a classic box to box midfielder who can play anywhere in a midfield three; a useful quality to have, especially in a Guardiola team. has been in good form since beginning his loan in Italy, scoring two goals in 18 appearances.

If the City boss is so certain he will want the player back next season to develop with the first team squad, perhaps a new deal will need to be struck to ensure the Etihad club can keep hold of the 19 year-old in a cost effective manner.

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