Manchester City ‘officially requested passes’ for high-profile La Liga match in recent scouting mission

Premier League champions Manchester City have recently embarked on a La Liga scouting mission as uncertainty shrouds the possible names of interest.

Etihad officials may have only just completed their work for another summer transfer window, but that is not stopping them from planning ahead and looking towards future markets as they ensure Pep Guardiola’s squad remains competitive on all fronts.

While the recent summer market saw recruitment in various positions, some believe Manchester City may still need to recruit further – particularly in midfield, and the latest report would indicate that they remain proactive in their search for new talent.

That leads last season’s Treble winners to Spain, where a new report has detailed a recent scouting mission in La Liga – a division that has brought great success to Manchester City since their takeover from Abu Dhabi in 2008.

That is according to the information of Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, who reveal that officials from Manchester City ‘officially requested passes’ for the contest between Real Sociedad and Athletic Club Bilbao last month.

That request was reportedly granted by Sociedad. However, in a very specific detail included in the report, the approved request was only for tickets in a ‘good location’ in the stadium as opposed to a corporate box.

Mundo Deportivo go on to report that while it is common for scouts from Europe to visit Real Sociedad, particularly given the La Liga club’s strong form and several players impressing, it is ‘unusual’ for them to be from the Etihad Stadium.

Unfortunately for Manchester City fans who are keen to understand who their club officials were there to monitor, the report states that those details remain unknown. However, they are able to speculate.

Mundo Deportivo states that ‘half the Premier League sighs’ for Martin Zubimendi. The 24-year-old is on a hot streak of form, and given the obvious requirement for City to find a suitable back-up or alternative to Rodri, the San Sebastian-born star could emerge as a possible option.

Real Sociedad currently find themselves sixth in La Liga, with three wins from their last five games, and 15 points to their name so far this season following four wins, three draws, and two defeats.

Japan international Takefusa Kubo – formerly of Real Madrid and Barcelona’s youth academy – is another player grabbing the attention of the European game, with an impressive five goals and two assists to his name from just nine appearances in all competitions.

Manchester City may also have an interest in Real Sociedad’s impressive start to their Champions League group stage campaign, with Imanol Alguacil’s side currently top of Group D with one win and one draw to their name.