Joan Laporta Sets Manchester City Target For Barcelona With Real Madrid Dig

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has discussed his club's intentions of claiming a win when they meet Manchester City at the Camp Nou in August.

The Spanish side will host the Premier League champions on Wednesday 24th August in a charity friendly to raise funds in honour of former Barcelona player and assistant coach Juan Carlos Unzue and to spread awareness about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Manchester City will travel to Catalonia in between Premier League meetings with Newcastle and Crystal Palace and could field a youth-dominated against the Blaugrana.

Camp Nou, Barcelona (Image: Alamy)

After enduring a difficult few campaigns on and off the pitch due to wide range of factors, Barcelona are slowly making their way back as one of Europe's best footballing sides following the appointment of former Spain international Xavi as manager.

The club have signed Ferran Torres, Adama Traore and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to bolster their frontline since January and are further targeting a move for Bayern Munich talisman Robert Lewandowski this summer.

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez (Image: Independent Photo Agency / Alamy)

With the likes of Pedri and Gavi establishing themselves as focal first-team members following their impressive rise through the La Masia ranks, Xavi could build a brilliant side in the years to come should Barcelona keep plugging away in the transfer market.

At the announcement event of Barcelona's charity clash with Manchester City at the Camp Nou on Monday, Pep Guardiola was asked about Bernardo Silva's future amid interest from his former club.

Bernardo Silva during Manchester City's title celebrations (Image: Alamy)

Whilst it remains to be seen whether the La Liga side can table an attractive offer for the Portugal international, Barcelona president Joan Laporta is targeting a win against Manchester City in August.

Laporta said, as quoted by Pol Ballus of The Athletic: "We beat Real Madrid 4-0 (in the La Liga last season), now we have the chance to beat the Premier League champions.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta (Image: Xinhua / Alamy)

"(I am) not sure it (Barcelona vs Manchester City in August) is going to be a friendly!"

It is highly likely Pep Guardiola will look to use the charity clash as an opportunity to give minutes to fringe players and rising academy players.

Erling Haaland (Image: Manchester City / mancity.com)

After retaining the Premier League time for the second time since his arrival to England in 2016, Guardiola and City are set to challenge on all fronts again next term.

Manchester City have secured the arrivals of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez ahead of the new season and as confirmed by club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak in his end-of-season interview, are set to make a couple more additions to the squad.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (Image: PA/Alamy)

Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips and Brighton defender Marc Cucurella are understood to be top targets for the Blues, who are keen on getting both deals over the line before their pre-season tour of the United States in July.

As for potential departures, Raheem Sterling is being eyed by Chelsea, who have made the England international a key target as they aim to close the gap to Manchester City and Liverpool in the league next season.

Gabriel Jesus is closing a move to Arsenal after expressing a desire to leave City in search of regular minutes ahead of the World Cup in Brazil later this year.