Guardiola planning audacious City bid for Marcelo

Marcelo’s excellent vein of form has not gone unnoticed on the continent. The latest manager to formulate an interest in luring the Brazilian full back from the Bernabéu is Pep Guardiola, who is eyeing a move to bring Marcelo to the Etihad Stadium when he takes over from Manuel Pellegrini at the end of the season. The Guardian reports that Guardiola has asked the board to look into the possibility of signing Marcelo in the summer, based on the current Bayern Munich manager rating the Brazilian the best in the world in his position and the necessity City have to refresh the left of defence, which is currently patrolled by Gaël Clichy. The Guardian also states that Guardiola has identified Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho as the ideal addition to the side’s attacking options.

The main obstacle facing City’s pursuit of Marcelo is the player’s willingness to leave the Bernabéu. Marcelo is the undisputed first choice at left back and the club vice captain, renewing his contract at Real Madrid only last month up to 2020. The Brazilian’s minimum release clause stands at 120 million euros.

Marcelo arrived at the Bernabéu in the winter transfer market in 2007 from Fluminense at the age of 18. He made his debut on January 7, 2007 against Deportivo in A Coruña. Despite his age he swiftly became an integral part of the team and in his nine years at the club he has won the Champions League, the Club World Cup, the European Supercup, the Spanish Supercup, La Liga and the Copa del Rey.