---
title: "Guardiola has met with Real Madrid target with Man City reportedly willing to smash another transfer record"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/guardiola-has-met-with-real-madrid-target-with-man-city-reportedly-willing-to-smash-another-transfer-record/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Jonny Gorrie"
section: "La Liga News"
published: "2017-07-26T08:10:32Z"
modified: "2017-07-26T08:10:32Z"
---

# Guardiola has met with Real Madrid target with Man City reportedly willing to smash another transfer record

**Few would doubt Manchester City’s strength when it comes to buying big players, though it’s fair to say that the Citizens in the Transfer Tavern are still rather annoyed about the fact bitter rivals Man United hold the world transfer record.**

Though the Sky Blues have broken a world record for defenders THREE times in the last two summer windows, United’s £89m purchase of Paul Pogba last term remains the most expensive ever deal. Still, reports from the [Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/manchester-city-prepared-pay-180m-10868220) suggest those at the Etihad are willing to break even that.

Indeed, City are [reportedly](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/manchester-city-prepared-pay-180m-10868220) amongst a clutch of clubs who would be ready to pay a whopping €180m to land Monaco sensation Kylian Mbappe. They, along with Real Madrid and PSG are [said](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/manchester-city-prepared-pay-180m-10868220) to be prepared to break a record to bring the Frenchman to England, despite [recent reports](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jul/25/real-madrid-kylian-mbappe-monaco-world-record) that *Los Blancos* were close to sealing a deal.

One of the most promising teenage talents in years, Pep Guardiola is [understood](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/manchester-city-prepared-pay-180m-10868220) to have personally met the *Les Bleus* prodigy before approving the club’s reported pursuit. While the Sky Blues are [continually linked](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/alexis-sanchez-transfer-arsenal-latest-news-manchester-city-pep-guardiola-a7857681.html) with a move to Alexis Sanchez, any deal to land the 18-year-old would [likely](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/manchester-city-prepared-pay-180m-10868220) cost around £160m, making it a ridiculously expensive move, even for City.

Real Madrid are [thought](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/manchester-city-prepared-pay-180m-10868220) to remain in the driving seat, though that apparently depends on Zinedine Zidane’s ability to convince him he’s a big part of his plans in the Spanish capital. PSG, meanwhile, aren’t [believed](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/manchester-city-prepared-pay-180m-10868220) to have as strong a chance as *Los Blancos* or City, with Monaco not [thought](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/manchester-city-prepared-pay-180m-10868220) to be open to selling to a domestic rival.

As you can imagine, even in light of the fact it’ll be difficult to land him, the idea of him lining up in City has the punters in the Tavern dreaming.

**Landlord’s Verdict**

Though Pep Guardiola’s exciting project at City would be hard for most players to reject, surely the allure of moving to Real Madrid would be too much for Mbappe, who has previously spoken highly of the La Liga juggernauts.

When Madrid set their minds to landing a player, they usually get them.

**Thoughts?**