Guardiola wanted Fernandinho to stay

Early last month, Fernandinho confirmed that he would be leaving Manchester City at the end of the season. He revealed it to the press before his manager, Pep Guardiola, who was surprised by it when he was told. He wanted him to stay, but the Cityzens have moved on and will look for a replacement this summer.

The journalist Fabrizio Romano, who specialises in the market, reported on this through his social networks. It may seem obvious, but, ultimately, there are clubs that choose not to sign replacements depending on the profile of the player who is leaving. In this case, he was a key player in his coach's schemes.

This season, he has already started 28 times, 13 of them as a starter, and has two goals and three assists. He came off the bench against Real Madrid in the second leg of the semi-final. Five minutes after his introduction, Carlo Ancelotti's side equalised quickly with a Rodrygo brace.

To fill Fernandinho's place in the City squad, the board will have to look for a balanced midfielder, not exactly a goalscorer, to give balance to Guardiola's line-ups. Guardiola himself will have plenty of time to discuss with the club's top brass what profiles fit his aspirations.