Manchester City have been linked with a move for Barcelona wonderkid Ilaix Moriba this summer, and if he were to join, he could form a superb partnership with Phil Foden for the long-term future at the Etihad Stadium.

What's the word?

According to Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), Manchester City and Chelsea are monitoring the 18-year-old's situation at Barcelona as he enters the final year of his contract at the Catalan club.

The report claims that Moriba is disappointed by Barcelona's decision to make him train with the reserves whilst contract talks continue, with Pep Guardiola's side apparently willing to push hard to sign the teenage midfielder.

Imagine him and Foden

Despite his age, Moriba has already made 18 appearances for Barcelona's first team, in which he has contributed one goal and three assists, so he looks to have a very bright future.

According to WhoScored, his main strengths include his dribbling, passing and ability to block the ball, which is no surprise as he is a product of La Masia academy, and it suggests that he would fit in well in Guardiola's Man City side.

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Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman was full of praise for the teenage midfielder last season, saying: “Ilaix scored a fantastic goal, it was an incredible goal and had a lot of impact on the match. He took advantage of the opportunities he had. He is very good at controlling the ball and he is a very strong player."

If he were to make the switch to the Etihad this summer, he could prove to be a staple of this Man City side for a number of years, in which time he could form a deadly partnership with City wonderkid Foden.

After slowly being integrated into the first team, the England international has now established himself as a key player at the Etihad, emphasised by his nine goals and five assists in the Premier League last season.

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The thought of Moriba playing through the middle, supporting Foden either on the left or in an attacking midfield role, is surely a mouth-watering prospect for Manchester City fans. Txiki Begiristain should definitely be looking to bring the Spanish youngster to the Etihad, as he would represent another step towards building a world-class team for the future.

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