Forget Messi and Neymar – Lewandowski will be Guardiola’s first signing
Talk of Lionel Messi or Neymar being Pep Guardiola’s first big signing as Manchester City boss is fanciful, according to a new poll.
After news broke of Guardiola’s impending arrival at the Etihad Ladbrokes asked its Twitter followers to vote in a poll pondering who Pep’s first big money signing would be as the Citizens boss.
And, while Barcelona stars Messi and Neymar are the names grabbing the headlines, it is one of the manager’s current charges who fans expect to see arrive first.
With 37 per cent of the votes* Bayern Munich and Poland forward Robert Lewandowski was the most popular choice.
The South American duo were left lagging behind with 14 per cent of the votes each, with a number of people thinking Guardiola will look elsewhere as he seeks to stamp his authority on the Premier League.
Most feel Manuel Pellegrini’s replacement will look to the continent for reinforcements, with the likes of Thiago, Andres Iniesta and Yohan Gouffran all mentioned but @JamesACurrie thinks Pep will look closer to home.
Who will be Guardiola’s first big signing at Manchester City? #MCFC
— Ladbrokes (@Ladbrokes) February 2, 2016
The Leicester lad thinks Foxes midfielder Danny Drinkwater will be the first name on Guardiola’s wish list.
Should Drinkwater make the move to Eastlands it could represent a double blow for City’s bitter rivals Manchester United.
The Red Devils were reportedly keen to recruit Guardiola to replace the under-fire Louis van Gaal and to see a former youth academy player teaming up with Pep across town could be too much for some United fans to take.
*
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £50 in free bets
