Relations between Manchester City and Barcelona spiral after ‘serious’ Lamine Yamal situation

Manchester City’s attempts to sign Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal during the summer transfer window have seriously impacted relations between the two clubs.

Barcelona completed the signings of two Manchester City players during the summer transfer window, securing midfielder Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer and completing a season-long loan move for Joao Cancelo on Deadline Day.

The La Liga club also renewed efforts to try and sign Bernardo Silva, however attempts to sign the Portugal international were swiftly rejected, as the 29-year-old signed a new contract at the Etihad Stadium – ending months of transfer speculation.

Ferran Torres, Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia have all recently moved from Manchester City to the Camp Nou, however relations between Pep Guardiola’s current club and former side have reportedly soured, after the Sky Blues attempted to sign a La Masia graduate.

Lamine Yamal, who scored on his senior debut for Spain, featured against both Georgia and Cyprus during the recent international break.

The 16-year-old, born in 2007, has made four La Liga appearances for Barcelona during the opening weeks of the season.

Yamal, who plays at right-wing, was reportedly at the centre of a “serious situation” during the summer transfer window, with Manchester City attempting to sign the teenage forward.

Sport Witness relay a report from journalist David Sanchez, who claims that the Premier League champions “went all out” to try and sign the 16-year-old, but were ultimately unsuccessful.

Manchester City’s attempts to sign the Spaniard have reportedly led to a worsening in relations between the two clubs, with Barcelona claimed to be unhappy by the Blues’ interest in signing Yamal.

The agent of the teenager, Enric Masip, admitted to his client being subject to a transfer enquiry during the recent window.

“Lamine Yamal and [Alejandro] Balde have been in a serious situation to leave this summer because there is a club that tried to ‘catch them’.”

Manchester City have previously also been reported to have been unsuccessful with attempts to sign fellow La Masia graduate Alejandro Balde, a highly-rated 19-year-old full-back.