Champions League club pursue Man City double-transfer swoop as post-Guardiola clear-out begins

Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid are targeting two Manchester City players despite one only joining the Premier League side last summer.

Guardiola oversaw his final game as City boss as the 10-time champions of England fell to a 2-1 defeat at home against Aston Villa last Sunday (May 24).

Of course, the Spaniard leaves as one of the greatest managers to have graced the English game, having coached City to six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League cups, three Community Shields, one UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup, over his decade stint in east Manchester.

Guardiola is expected to be succeeded by former Leicester and Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, with the Italian previously working as part of City’s coaching set-up.

And while star players Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland, Marc Guehi, Rayan Cherki and Gianluigi Donnarumma will form the spine of the City side come next season, veteran John Stones and Bernardo Silva have confirmed their exits after successful spells with the club.

While Stones’ future remains uncertain, a report from the Daily Mail claims La Liga side Atletico Madrid are showing interest in Silva, who would be able to join the Spaniards as a free agent.

Contrary reports also suggest Portugal’s Benfica, Spain’s Barcelona and several teams from Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer are keen on the midfielder.

Could Man City midfielder be on the move?

But it might not just be Silva who could call the Spanish capital his home in the coming months.

The Mail also reports that Atleti are showing interest in midfielder Tijjani Reijnders despite the Netherlands international joining City from AC Milan for £46.6million less than 12 months ago.

After a positive start to life in the Premier League, Reinjders struggled to nail down a starting spot under Guardiola, which has prompted suitors to enquire about a potential transfer.

The Dutchman finished the campaign with seven goals and eight assists from 47 appearances, earning him a spot in Ronald Koeman’s World Cup squad.

Reijnders, who has also been linked with a return to Serie A, is contracted to City until 2030 and reportedly earns around £250,000 per week.

Simeone’s Atleti endured a frustrating campaign, finishing as runners-up to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey, fourth in La Liga behind Barca, Real Madrid and Villarreal, as well as putting in a poor showing across the two-legged Champions League semi-final against Arsenal.

Veteran forward Antoine Griezmann has joined MLS side Orlando City, while Julian Alvaraz has been subject to a £87million bid from rivals Barca.