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Man City will beat Barcelona to ONE transfer deal because of Pep Guardiola - Steve Nicol
SAUL NIGUEZ is more likely to reject Barcelona for Manchester City because of Pep Guardiola, claims ESPN FC pundit Steve Nicol.
Saul has emerged as a potential long-term replacement for Fernandinho at Manchester City.
Reports on Wednesday claimed City were close to completing a deal for the 24-year-old.
Barcelona are also said to be keen on Saul who came through the youth ranks at Atletico.
Liverpool legend Nicol believes Saul will be leaving Atletico and claims it would have been to Barcelona if Pep Guardiola was still in charge at the Nou Camp.
Had Pep Guardiola not been at Manchester City, then I think it was a shoe-in that it would be Barcelona
However, he believes City now have the advantage because of the the Spanish boss.
“I think this guy’s going,” Nicol said of Saul.
“I think it’s a toss of a coin whether it’s Manchester City or Barcelona.
“Had Pep Guardiola not been at Manchester City, then I think it was a shoe-in that it would be Barcelona.
“It makes sense, he’s a Spanish international, he’s not moving too far. But we’re talking Pep.
“I think he [Fernandinho] needs some help.
“He’s coming up to 34 in May, he needs a break, he certainly needs more of a break than he’s been getting.
“He’s started to pick up injuries as well, which happens as the years roll on.
“So I think Saul would be a fantastic signing for Man City and I think it’s going to happen.
"He’s going to be moving right, and I’m not going to say it’s 100 per cent to City, but he’s moving.”
In a separate segment Nicol claimed Saul is the perfect replacement for Fernandinho.
“What they’d be getting right now in Saul is a player at his age who was better than Fernandinho at his age,” he added.
“Saul’s 24 and for me he can walk in and replace Fernandinho right now, if need be.”