Manchester City eyeing Real Madrid top target as Pep Guardiola seeks double midfield reinforcement: Reports 

Manchester City are reportedly eyeing a move for Real Madrid target Florian Wirtz as Pep Guardiola eyes a double reinforcement in midfield. As reported by The Times via Goal, Bayer Leverkusen star Wirtz has emerged as the Cityzens' top target alongside Newcastle United midfield dynamo Bruno Guimaraes.

Manchester City, who won four successive Premier League titles in the last four seasons, are going through their worst run of form in a very long time. The Cityzens have lost seven of their last 10 games across competitions.

The Sky Blues' season has completely derailed following Rodri's ACL injury and it has been claimed that Guardiola is seeking reinforcements in midfield. Wirtz and Guimaraes have emerged as their top two targets.

Wirtz is one of the most coveted players in world football at the moment following his exploits at Bayer Leverkusen. The Germany international could be the long-term replacement for Kevin De Bruyne whose contract at the Etihad expires next summer.

The 21-year-old played a pivotal role in helping Leverkusen win both Bundesliga and DFB Pokal last season. Since his switch to BayArena in 2020 from FC Koln, he has produced 51 goals and 55 assists in 175 appearances.

Guimaraes, on the other hand, has been a key player for Newcastle United since his reported £40 million switch from Lyon in January 2022. He has made 125 appearances for the Magpies till date, scoring 17 goals while providing 19 assists.

Manchester City decided not to trigger Guimaraes' £100 million release clause in the summer. Negotiating a fee for the Brazilian could be somewhat tricky for them given the midfielder recently signed a new five-year deal.

Wirtz, on the other hand, has been heavily linked with a host of clubs from across Europe including Real Madrid. He has recently tied up with agent Volker Struth who shares a strong relationship with Los Blancos and previously represented Real Madrid great Toni Kroos.

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Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti opens up on Pep Guardiola's recent struggles at Manchester City

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has claimed that he has no advice for his Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola. The Spaniard is going through the worst run in his illustrious managerial career, losing seven of his side's last 10 games.

Guardiola has enjoyed unprecedented success during his stint at Manchester City having won 18 trophies since taking charge in 2016. Things, however, are not going well for the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager this season.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was asked whether he would offer any advice for Guardiola amid his side's remarkably poor form. The Italian, in reply, hailed the Spaniard as an 'innovator' and insisted that managers cannot control the outcomes of games. He said, via Madrid Universal:

“I don’t give him any advice, no. My opinion doesn’t change about him, because of the last results. He has been an innovator. We can control a lot of things, but not the outcome of games.”

Ancelotti and Guardiola, two of the greatest managers in the modern era, have faced off against each other on 12 occasions over the years. Ancelotti has emerged victorious on four occasions and lost six times while drawing twice.