Sporting CP wing-back reveals transfer hope of joining Pep Guardiola at Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City have been handed a clear message of transfer intent from one of the goal-scorers for Sporting during their victory over Pep Guardiola’s side last week.

The Premier League champions made it three defeats in a row during their visit to the Portuguese capital in European action last week, despite taking the lead in the game through Phil Foden’s individual effort.

Viktor Gyokeres would equalise later in the first-half before a second-half rout would ensue just 30 seconds after the restart through Maximiliano Araujo and two further strikes from the aforementioned Swedish forward.

Despite the dismantling of Guardiola’s side, the lure of the Etihad Stadium remains ever-present within European football, and one member of former Sporting coach Ruben Amorim’s squad has spoken openly about whether a switch to Manchester City appeals to him.

Speaking whilst on international duty with Uruguay this week, Sporting CP wing-back Maximiliano Araujo admitted his desire and hopes of joining the Premier League champions in the future.

“I hope so, I hope so,” the 24-year-old responded when quizzed on whether he would join Manchester City in the future.

Continuing on the subject of an interaction with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola after last week’s UEFA Champions League contest, Araujo said, “I asked him for a photo, we talked for a few minutes and he congratulated me.

“I’m very happy about that. We talked about the game, nothing more,” he said, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness.

Manchester City may turn to the transfer market in future of a full-back option given the age and deterioration in performance showcased by club captain Kyle Walker, whilst there is a clear need for further squad depth.

Over on the left side of Manchester City’s defence, Guardiola and his players have enjoyed plenty of success through the services of Josko Gvardiol and Nathan Ake, and any pursuit of Araujo may indicate a change of approach from the club in terms of style of play.

At present, there is nothing to indicate a desire from Etihad Stadium officials to recruit Araujo, and for the time being it all remains conversation and speculative dialogue within South American and Portuguese media.