Pep Guardiola to break long-standing transfer rule in bid to bring his former player to Man City in huge deal

Pep Guardiola could be about to break his long-standing rule if Manchester City pull off a huge transfer.

2023-24 was another successful season for City, as Guardiola's side successfully defended their league title to win the Premier League for a fourth year in a row.

But Guardiola knows that at the elite level of football, standing still is in fact moving backwards.

The Catalan coach will hope City sporting director Txiki Begiristain can bring in some new recruits this summer as they look to win an unprecedented fifth Premier League title in a row.

City have been linked with Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich, but signing him would mean Guardiola breaking a transfer rule he strictly follows.

According to HITC, City are looking to capitalise on Kimmich growing 'unsettled' at Bayern following a disappointing campaign.

The German giants finished the season trophyless after Bayer Leverkusen ended their stranglehold on the Bundesliga, and head coach Thomas Tuchel has since been replaced by former City captain Vincent Kompany.

With Kimmich's contract set to expire next summer, both City and Barcelona are monitoring the situation as Bayern could decide to sell this summer.

However, if Guardiola wants Kimmich then he will have to break his rule of not signing players from former clubs.

The 53-year-old signed Kimmich for Bayern in 2015 and is a great admirer of the Germany international, in particular his tactical understanding and versatility.

Author Marti Perarnau is friend of Guardiola's, and was given incredible access to him in order to write a series of books about his coaching career.

Pep Guardiola gives instructions to Joshua Kimmich. Image: Getty

Speaking to AS, Perarnau explained Guardiola's reluctance to sign players from his two former clubs, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

"It was [Lionel] Messi who offered himself [to Manchester City in 2020]," he said.

"The one who knocked on the door was Leo. Pep [Guardiola] had his reticence. He is very clear not to touch Barça and not to touch Bayern.

"City had a list of Bayern players to sign, and Pep told Txiki [Begiristain] not to touch anyone. And there was a lot of them, almost all of them except for the goalkeeper."

There are a couple of exceptions, however. Guardiola did sign Thiago Alcantara from Barca when at Bayern, and also made Claudio Bravo one of his first signings at City from the Blaugrana.

Kimmich has given nothing away on his future. Speaking to AS, he said: "I want to talk to Bayern. And when I do that, I won't go out and talk to the press about it.

"I will speak to Bayern first. But of course, Barcelona and Real Madrid are amazing clubs with an amazing history."