Man City closing in on landing Pep’s old favourite

Having already snapped up Ilkay Gundogan and Nolito, Pep Guardiola’s next target for his Manchester City revolution is one he knows all too well – Bayern’s Thiago Alcantara.

Pep handed Alcantara his debut at Barcelona, and took the midfielder with him when he became boss at the Allianz Arena.

The pair also share the same representation, and some reports this week claim Guardiola is something of a father figure to the 25-year-old.

So the issue isn’t between player and potential manager, it’s between the clubs, with Bayern reluctant to sell.

The two clubs are in advanced talks according to the press, but it remains to be seen how and where City break Bayern’s resolve.

Alcantara hasn’t enjoyed a sterling three-years in Germany, suffering recurring injuries and failing to land a consistent spot in the first-team subsequently.

But in Guardiola he has a sure-fire supporter, and Alcantara’s arrival is seemingly all part of Pep’s plan to change Man City’s style, should they reunite for the third time.

With Gundogan already on board at the Etihad, it seems City are about to switch from the 4-2-3-1 which has seemingly become de rigueur in the modern game.

Instead City can expect to see a variety of tactical options from their new boss, who tried pretty much everything with Bayern, and usually succeeded with all of them.

And it also means we can expect at least some of Fernando, Fernandinho and Yaya Toure to depart this summer.

The signs from the blue half of Manchester are fairly clear, Pep is here, and he’s going to do it his way.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.