Pep Eyes Bayern Reunion

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Pep Guardiola is determined to rejuvenate his Manchester City squad in pursuit of Champions League glory with Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara his target.

The Mail on Sunday reports the 27-year-old is the defensive midfielder the City boss wants to provide the balance that his attack-minded side needs. With Fernandinho in the twilight of his career, Guardiola wants the Spain international to provide a calming influence in the centre of the pitch.

The Catalan made it clear that while older players are key to his squad, they aren’t expected to play a pivotal role. David Silva, 32, is a similar age to Fernandinho and Guardiola observed that “Next season, David maybe will not play every game, that’s why the squad has to be big.”

Thiago was a Guardiola signing when he was in charge at the Allianz Arena and the Spaniard quickly became a pivotal figure in the Bayern line-up.

With a deal which doesn’t expire until 2021, Thiago won’t come cheap and already a fee of £50m is being mentioned. That won’t be a problem for City to fund; it’s a club desperate to reach the peak of European football and money is not going to be a barrier to that.