Manchester City Are Interested In 22 Year Old French Winger: Will He Fit The Plans Of Pep Guardiola? | OneFootball

Manchester City are in the midst of evaluating possible reinforcements for their offensive department. The team led by Pep Guardiola has reached a point where rethinking certain positions becomes essential, especially with the possible departure of key players.

The squad, although deep, needs profiles that bring freshness and versatility. This is where the name of Bradley Barcola comes in, a young player who has attracted attention for his dynamism and consistent performance. In a competitive market, the eyes of several clubs are on the same target.

Manchester City Are Interested In 22 Year Old Bradley Barcola

According to information gathered by Caught Offside, Manchester City’s interest in Barcola is neither new nor superficial. The 22-year-old French winger has been watched on numerous occasions by the English club’s scouting team, attracted by his ability to run past defenders and link up intelligently. Guardiola, aware of the value of versatile profiles, sees the PSG player as an interesting option in the face of the uncertainty surrounding Jack Grealish. Despite the interest, the Parisian club maintains a firm stance: Barcola is not for sale, at least for now. This has not slowed down planning in Manchester.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – APRIL 15: Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Aston Villa FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park on April 15, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Will He Fit The Plans To Pep Guardiola?

The idea of adding Bradley Barcola to Guardiola’s squad raises legitimate questions, but also generates enthusiasm. Tactically, Barcola adapts well to the possession system promoted by the Catalan coach. His pace and quality to be good on one-on-one situations on the left flank make him ideal for running in behind the defence, and his ability to assist – 19 this season – complements mobile strikers such as Haaland.

The Frenchman has also shown a reading of the game that fits City’s demanding automatisms. However, not all is clear. His adaptation to the physical pace of the Premier League is a question mark, and his age may work against him as much as for him.

Guardiola is not used to signing on impulse; each player comes in with a specific purpose. Competition in his position is high, and Barcola would need to understand that his initial prominence may be limited. On the other hand, an alternative view suggests that signing him now – when he has not yet reached his peak market value – could be a smart move going forward. If City go ahead, they would avoid an expensive bidding war with other Premier League giants. Time will tell if this interest turns into concrete negotiations. For now, expectations are growing.