Arteta Helping Guardiola with Summer Transfer?

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After years of coaching together, finally moving clubs, and fighting for the league title, Pep Guardiola is finally seeing signs of his decline compared to his counterpart, Mikel Arteta. 

Last year was one of the worst seasons for Manchester City under Guardiola, and now, the Spaniard is looking for a comeback. 

For Arteta, there was a moral win in defeating his former boss in two games, but the bigger challenge remains open – the quest for the Premier League title. 

This rivalry has fueled the Premier League, bringing the fans around the world together. With the demand sometimes going way too high, there have been many instances where people have been looking for alternative ways to buy tickets. 

And now, Arteta might be helping Guardiola make a final transfer. 

An Arsenal sale could allow Manchester City to make Andrea Cambiaso their first signing of the summer transfer window, according to reports.

Man City landed on Cambiaso as a target in the build-up to the January window. City chiefs believe the Juventus star would be a great addition to the squad as he is versatile and can play as a full-back on either side.

City want Cambiaso to provide competition for Josko Gvardiol at left-back while also helping them to move on from long-serving right-back Kyle Walker, who has joined AC Milan on a loan-to-buy deal.

City registered their interest in Cambiaso but were put off a winter deal as Juve demanded as much as €80 million (£68 / $91 m) for him.

Pep Guardiola’s side opted to improve other positions instead by capturing Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.

But City are preparing to re-sign Cambiaso this summer and will attempt to land him for a lower price.

As per The Sun, who cite reports emerging from Italy, City have ‘closed in’ on the Italian’s capture in recent weeks.

That is because Juventus are warming to his sale and have begun searching for a replacement at left-back.

The Serie A giants have ‘identified’ Arsenal’s Nuno Tavares as a top target. ’

Tavares is currently on loan from Arsenal at Juve’s Italian rivals Lazio. The deal will become permanent this summer for around £5m (€6 m/$7 / $7m), though Lazio are looking to ‘immediately cash in’ on him.

Tavares going from Arsenal to Juve – via Lazio – could see Mikel Arteta’s side inadvertently help City bring Cambiaso to the Premier League.

Club Brugge full-back Maxim De Cuyper is another option for Juve as they prepare for life after Cambiaso.

Juve’s new stance is described as a ‘boost’ for Guardiola and City. The FA Cup finalists have also been given a lift by Cambiaso’s price tag dropping.

Having previously held out for £68m, Juve are open to selling the 25-year-old for a reduced fee of around €60m (£51 / $ m/$68 m) in the summer.

Surprise Grealish link; exit an ‘open secret’

Meanwhile, Jack Grealish has emerged as a target for a shock Premier League club as Guardiola prepares to offload the City winger.

Another City departure has been described as an ‘open secret’ by the French media.

That is because the Saudis have ‘accelerated’ their efforts to land the six-time Premier League champion.

Who is Andrea Cambiaso, and why do Man City want him?

One of the biggest things Pep Guardiola has revolutionised while managing Manchester City has been how full-backs are used. So, if you’re a full-back and Man City want you, it’s usually a good sign of your ability.

Andrea Cambiaso was born in Genoa in 2000 and came through the ranks at his hometown club, taking in four loan spells and making 28 first-team appearances until 2022, when Juventus bought him.

His first season as a Juventus player was spent out on loan at Bologna, before he was finally integrated into Turin and became a key player.

What makes Cambiaso stand out is his ability to play in either full-back position. If you were none the wiser, you’d be hard pressed to guess which of his feet is stronger.

His ambipedal nature enables him to play as either a right-back or left-back for Juventus. Max Allegri used him more on the right than the left, but Thiago Motta has used him more on the left than on the right.

Cambiaso earned his senior Italy debut in March 2024 as a reward for his rise to prominence in Serie A. He has coped admirably with the step up to Juventus’ level and looks comfortable in a big team.

So it’s little wonder that a team of Man City’s calibre have been looking closely at Cambiaso. Guardiola’s use of inverted full-backs has changed the perception of that position in recent years, and given his two-footed nature, Cambiaso would be an ideal fit for such a role.

“I try to make myself useful for what benefits the team and in response to what the opponents do,” he told Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport in November. “I don’t have a preferred role. On the left, I play more along the touchline, while on the right, I tend to move more into the centre of the field.”

Cambiaso is renowned for his dribbling ability. He is also technically adept and shows good strength in duels wherever he is situated on the pitch.

And now, at the age of 25, the prime of his career is approaching. He has previously spoken of the high esteem in which he holds Juventus, but he could be destined for a different stage, maximising his potential under a legendary coach.

Guardiola Joins Arteta Against Ball Complaint

Pep Guardiola has echoed Mikel Arteta’s strange complaint, as he also blamed the ball used in cup matches in England. 

The reigning Premier League champions needed two goals from midfielder Nico O’Reilly to come from behind to win against Plymouth in the fifth round of the FA Cup. 

City had failed to find the back of the net from 10 attempts, with names like Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and Rico Lewis failing to hit the target. 

Guardiola suggested after the match that the Mitre ball being used in this competition is to blame for his team’s poor finishing. 

“Normally, the ball goes in from these shots. It’s hard to control it. For many years, many coaches and players have said that.” 

“When you lose it, it seems like you’re complaining, but the ball is not right. I’m sorry. It’s happened in the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup over the years. I know it’s a business, and they reach agreements.” 

“I’ve said it for many years. I would like to play in the Champions League. We play on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Some things are not in our control.” 

“I said it in my opinion, and people say good or bad. We won so that people will be good to us, but even if I had lost, I would think the same.” 

“The ball in the Champions League is extraordinary, the ball in the Premier League is extraordinary, but this is not good,” Guardiola said.

 Tickets for the opening games in the Premier League are already running out,  and while official sources can be tough, alternative ways to buy tickets are always available. 

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