Manchester City have made it clear to Barcelona they are interested in signing Sergi Roberto this summer, reports Mundo Deportivo.
With Joao Cancelo free to leave City after just one season at the club, Pep Guardiola is on the market for a replacement capable of playing right-back.
City were in talks with Barcelona about signing Nelson Semedo in a deal that would have seen Cancelo move to Camp Nou.
Talks have cooled in regard to a potential deal involving Semedo and Cancelo but now City's transfer guru, Txiki Begiristain, has ramped up the club's interest in Roberto.
Barcelona have transfer listed almost their entire playing squad this summer in a desperate bid to balance their books.
After supplying at least five assists in four straight league campaigns for Barcelona, Roberto has struggled for top form this season and his reputation has taken a hit at Camp Nou.
The 28-year-old only has two years left to run on his current Barcelona deal and the LaLiga leaders may look to cash in this summer rather than accept a cut-price deal next year.
Barcelona were receptive to the idea of a player swap deal for Semedo but have made it clear they will only accept cash for Roberto.
The Spain international, who is also capable of playing in central midfield, has played a direct hand in just three goals in 22 league appearances so far this season.
Of Barcelona players that have started at least 10 league games this season, only two have a better pass success rate than Roberto (91.2%).
