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15th Feb 2017

Barcelona legend reckons Pep Guardiola might sign Jack Wilshere

"Technically he is the sort of player that Pep loves"

Robert Redmond

Pep Guardiola will definitely sign players this summer.

Manchester City need new full-backs, at least one central defender and a new goalkeeper.

They seem well stocked for central midfielders, but Xavi reckons Jack Wilshere will be on Pep’s radar this summer.

The Barcelona legend played alongside Guardiola and was the brain of his all-conquering team between 2008 and 2012. Xavi has said that his former coach is a big fan of Wilshere, currently on-loan from Arsenal at Bournemouth.

“I know Pep has always had a lot of respect for Wilshere – he impressed so many of the Barcelona team when we played Arsenal in 2011,” Xavi told Fox Latin America.

“He impressed me a lot that night, I know he also did Pep and it will be a player that he would have been following ever since.

“We have talked about him, it was not a performance you forget easily.

“Technically he is the sort of player that Pep loves – his only problem has been injuries – and if it wasn’t for the issues he has had with injuries I am sure he would be one of the best midfield players in the world.

“At the moment he seems to be doing well with his fitness – and if there is a chance to sign him in the summer – I am sure Pep will give it real consideration.”

Wilshire impressed in the game Xavi referenced from 2011, when Arsenal beat Barcelona 2-1 at the Emirates in the last-16 of the Champions League.

However, he has been plagued by injuries in recent years, and went on-loan to Bournemouth in an attempt to play regularly.

The 25-year-old has been solid, but not spectacular, in his 20 appearances for the Cherries, and limped-out of Bournemouth’s 2-0 loss to City with an ankle injury earlier this week.

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