Real Madrid target Manchester City wonderkid Brahim Diaz as Pep Guardiola admits struggle in retaining 18-year-old Spaniard
- Pep Guardiola has admitted Manchester City might struggle to keep Brahim Diaz
- Teenager Diaz is rated highly by Guardiola, who tried to sign him for Barcelona
- But it looks like Diaz could be about to get away from the City boss once again
- He said: 'Maybe we can't control it. We spoke with him many times to stay here'
Real Madrid are set to launch a bid to sign Manchester City wonderkid Brahim Diaz.
Diaz went on tour alongside fellow youngster Phil Foden in July and Pep Guardiola wants to further integrate the Spaniard into his first team.
But City might have a job on their hands to keep the playmaker, who has been training with the Under 23s this week, should Real solidify their interest.
Real Madrid are preparing to make a transfer offer for Manchester City teenager Brahim Diaz
Diaz, who has made one senior appearance for City, played in the UEFA Youth League this week
Pep Guardiola likes Diaz but has admitted it might be hard to keep him at the Etihad Stadium
'We want him but today the market is the market,' Guardiola said on Friday ahead of this weekend's trip to Watford.
'Maybe we can't control it. We spoke with him many times to stay here.
'City gave him the opportunity at the high level. He is happy here. He has to know that at the top level it's not easy to play.'
Jadon Sancho left City for Dortmund last month for £8million, citing he could not see a clear pathway into Guardiola's team.
Sancho rejected a contract with £30,000 a week but looks set to find opportunities limited in the Bundesliga.
'It depends on the desire of the player,' Guardiola added. 'We make the effort to keep them with the salary. We did it with Jadon, we'll do it with Phil [Foden] and Brahim. We did it with Tosin [Adarabioyo].
'[At] many clubs here the manager controls the things, but I'm not involved in that. Txiki (Begiristain) and Ferran (Soriano) take the decisions.'
Guardiola said: 'Maybe we can't control it. We spoke with him many times to stay here'
He was speaking ahead of Saturday's trip to Watford, where his City side won 5-0 back in May
Most watched Sport videos
- Nike unveils 2024 Olympic uniforms ahead of Paris games
- Ryan Garcia not allowed to pitch and kicked out of Mets game
- NRL star Kevin Walters talking about his wife dying of cancer
- Olympic torch is lit ahead of Paris Olympics
- Amazon release '99' trailer, documenting Man United's treble
- Football Pundit Eli Aluko speaks on 'Institutional racism'
- TikTok star Davis Clarke soils himself during the Boston Marathon
- Barcelona fans go head to head with police ahead of quarter finals
- Ryan Garcia proposing to Aussie porn star Savannah Bond
- Ryan Garcia SHOVED by Devin Haney on Empire State building
- Kate Abdo breaks down in tears reminiscing about her late father
- James McClean salutes Wrexham fans singing an anti-King chant