Manchester City are supposedly hoping to strike a deal for Ilaix Moriba as a free agent should he run down the final year of his Barcelona contract.
The teenager has so far rebuffed the Blaugrana's attempts to tie him down to a new deal and is supposedly being eyed up by a host of top European clubs.
Moriba has been banished to the B team after entering the final 12 months of his deal with Ronald Koeman's side, and every member of the Premier League's Big Six has been credited with an interest in the midfielder.
According to Mundo Deportivo journalist Cristina Cubero, Man City are keen admirers of Moriba but will only consider a move for the 18-year-old if he walks away from Camp Nou for free next summer.
Cubero adds that Moriba and his agent would benefit from such an arrangement with a signing on bonus and higher commission, and the youngster is facing a full season of reserve training if his situation does not change before the end of the month.
Moriba's breakthrough season in the 2020-21 campaign saw him make 18 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions, scoring one goal and setting up three more in La Liga, and he is supposedly valued at £12.8m by the Catalan club.
Ben Knapton
