Pep Guardiola could break his own transfer rule for the second time since joining Man City

Pep Guardiola could recruit from a former club this summer despite the Manchester City manager working to a personal rule which prevents him doing just that. The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich head coach has only broken the rule twice before, although the latest transfer opportunity could prove too tempting to pass up.

Guardiola first tapped into a previous club’s resources when he lured Thiago Alcantara from Barcelona to Bayern in 2013. He did it again three years later with Claudio Bravo, who he brought to the Etihad Stadium from Barca after controversially dropping goalkeeper Joe Hart.

According to Guardiola’s biographer, Marti Perarnau, the manager tries to keep such moves to a minimum. However, recent reports suggest he may be about to break his rule for the second time since landing at City eight years ago.

According to HITC, City are closely monitoring Bayern midfielder Joshua Kimmich. Guardiola signed Kimmich from RB Leipzig in 2015 and threw him straight into the first team in Bavaria.

Nearly 400 appearances later, it’s clear that Guardiola correctly identified a star of the future and he could reunite with the 29-year-old this summer. Kimmich is approaching the final year of his contract, forcing Bayern to sell over the coming months or risk losing him for free next year.

At the weekend, Kimmich tried to dodge giving a clear answer on his future while on international duty with Germany. “It doesn’t just depend on me, but also on the club [Bayern],” he said.

“For me, the situation is not uncertain, I still have a year left on my contract. The focus is completely on this European Championship. I’m concentrating on that and then there will definitely be a conversation. And then FC Bayern will be my first point of contact.”

Kimmich can play at right-back, where City already have Kyle Walker as a nailed-on starter, or in midfield, where Guardiola could be caught short next season unless new blood is brought to the Etihad.

Bernardo Silva’s City contract includes a £50million release clause which could be triggered at any moment. Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne’s representatives are believed to have sounded out a move to MLS.

Leading up to the summer transfer window, the Sky Blues had been linked with Kimmich’s Bayern team-mate Jamal Musiala. They also have a long-standing interest in West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta, who is presumed off limits after being charged by the FA over betting breaches.