Leonardo Bonucci called Manchester City over a move claims CEO Soriano

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Manchester City’s CEO says many players want to play for the club.

Ferran Soriano, Manchester City’s chief executive officer, has used the example of Juventus’ Leonardo Bonucci as evidence to prove that stars from across Europe want to play under Pep Guardiola, as reported by RAC1.

According to the City CEO, defender Bonucci encouraged the club to make a move for him in the summer transfer window.

The Italy international, who was wanted by compatriot and Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, is one of the finest defenders in world football and was linked with a potential exit prior to the 2016-17 season.

“At the moment there are a lot of players that want to play under Pep,” Soriano told radio stadio RAC1.

“The Italian central defender Bonucci wants to play for him and he called us.”

He added: “I called the Juventus sporting director [Fabio Paratici]and he told me they didn’t want to sell. There ended the story!”

The comments come after City boss Guardiola had to deny he tried convince Lionel Messi and three other Barcelona players to make the switch to the Etihad (MARCA).

“I didn’t call any players on the phone — there are those that are lost before they’ve even started,” Guardiola said. “This summer I never called Messi, Neymar, Busquets, Suarez or anybody. If ever I have called a Barca player it is because he doesn’t get playing time. And look, if I did, I would be well within my rights because Barca calls City players.

He continued: “I never called Messi — What I most want is for him to play here and finish his career here. But maybe he wants to go somewhere else, maybe he wants his kids to speak English. If it happens there would be a list of six, seven or eight clubs, who want to sign him and it will be down to Messi where he wants to go.

“I am lucky to have the chance to sit down and spell this all out today. If you don’t believe me, those who have published this and have a good relationship with [Barcelona president Josep] Bartomeu, they should call him and ask him themselves.”

Soriano supported Guardiola’s claims, stating City only made formal enquiries about the club goalkeepers Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and Claudio Bravo, with the latter now plying his trade at the for the Sky Blues (ESPN).

“It was brought to our attention that both want to play every game and weren’t happy with the situation,” said Soriano

“From there we talked with Barca and we asked if they wanted to sell one. Bravo ended up coming.”

He added: “City didn’t get in contact with any Barca players and we didn’t make any offers.

“Our relationship with Barca is good. There are agents that call Barca saying they have an offer from City and then [Barcelona] call us to see if it’s true and we deny it.”