Manchester City have had a €35m (£31m) bid rejected by Barcelona for midfielder Sergi Roberto, according to Mundo Deportivo. The midfielder has been a long term target of Chelsea, reports the Catalan newspaper, but City have made the first move.
Mundo Deportivo report that Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo enquired about the player’s situation 12 months ago but was told by Barca that the 25 year old was not for sale. Manchester City have similarly been told the same thing after making their first offer for the midfielder.
Roberto is a highly adaptable player. He has played at right back, in central midfield and in a front three since breaking into the first team, but it seems Barca would like him to settle on playing in his favoured position in the middle of the park.
The Catalan club are currently without a first choice right back which has meant Roberto has had to play out of position but if the club sign Hector Bellerin from Arsenal, he will then be used solely as a central midfielder.
