Manchester City have reportedly identified a Barcelona starlet as a potential transfer target.
As well as targeting a top-five finish in the Premier League table and an FA Cup trophy before the end of this season, City are planning for a thorough rebuild of their squad.
Over £180m was spent on four players during the winter transfer window and there will be a reshuffle of personnel when the market reopens in June.
Lowering the age of Pep Guardiola's squad is part of City's plans and players who they deem capable of representing the club for years to come will be at the top of their shortlist.
Nevertheless, as per Mundo Deportivo, club officials are ready to up their interest in a player who would be viewed as one for the future.
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City to target Barcelona prospect?
The report alleges that City are one of several European giants who are ready to make an official approach for Guille Fernandez.
Despite being just 16 years of age, Fernandez has already found himself on the substitutes' bench for La Liga and Champions League fixtures during 2024-25.
As it stands, though, the teenager is still awaiting his first-team debut, albeit in the knowledge that he is well-liked by Hansi Flick.
A total of 34 appearances have been racked up for Barcelona's youth side, with the central midfielder contributing five goals and two assists.
Furthermore, seven caps have been earned for Spain Under-19s, highlighting that Fernandez could be fast-tracked on the domestic and international scene.
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What is Fernandez's preference?
Fernandez, who has a contract until 2027, reportedly plans on remaining with the Catalan giants for pre-season in an effort to convince Flick that he can earn senior minutes during the next campaign.
However, the youngster is said to be open to a move elsewhere having yet to be provided with the minutes that he was allegedly promised when signing his first professional contract.
Porto are namechecked as a potential destination, the Portuguese giants having recently helped develop Nico Gonzalez - now at Man City - along with Valencia into a player worth €60m (£51.9m).
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are also said to be interested. If Barcelona are to consider a sale, they would realistically insist on a buy-back clause at a later date, or a deal where they retain a substantial sell-on clause.
Darren Plant
