According to a report from Fichajes, Pep Guardiola has identified Sergi Altimira as a priority target to reinforce his midfield this summer. The Spanish manager has asked Manchester City to sign the Real Betis sensation, who could cost them around €50 million.
Altimira has only gone from strength to strength since joining Betis in the summer of 2023. While the debut campaign certainly didn’t go according to plan as he racked up less than 800 minutes of first-team action in his 17 outings, the second season has helped him establish himself as a key figure in them.
During the 2024/25 season, the 23-year-old central midfielder was involved in a total of 53 matches. He racked up over 3,100 minutes of first-team football and even contributed towards three goals.
His strong physical presence, ability to disrupt the opposition’s rhythm, and impressive vision have stood out, and his performances have certainly not gone unnoticed. While several top clubs are keen on his signature, Manchester City seem to have the most concrete interest in him.
His performances have caught the attention of Pep Guardiola who closely follows Spanish football to date. He is a massive admirer of the Betis midfielder and wants him in his squad ahead of next season. The English club’s sporting management highly values his profile and they believe he could be just the perfect fit in their system.
They see him as an attractive option to strengthen their midfield and are willing to make a firm move to sign him. His versatility, combined with his tactical intelligence and the fact that there is still room for growth, attracts significant interest from City.
While Guardiola is pushing for his signature, signing him won’t be that straightforward as there is a €50 million release clause in his contract. City are exploring ways to bring down the price tag, but Betis have no intention of negotiating a lower fee. With his contract running until 2029, the Spanish club are in a strong position and in no rush to sell.
