From Spain: Two clubs agree loan deal would be best for Man City starlet, but he is refusing… – City Watch

Girona FC continue to press for Manchester City wonderkid Brahim Diaz on loan next season – but the player is resisting a temporary switch to the La Liga club, Catalan newspaper SPORT reports.

The 18-year-old and his representatives are in disagreement with City chiefs about what the next step of Brahim’s career should be, with the teenager desperate to earn a place in Pep Guardiola’s first team, but City believing gaining experience out on loan would benefit him.

This has raised the prospect of City losing another of their young gems, after Jadon Sancho quit for Borussia Dortmund a year ago, with Brahim into the last 12 months of his contract and yet to sign fresh terms.

According to SPORT, Girona’s sporting director Quique Cárcel admires Brahim’s versatility and wants he and fellow Spain under-21 international Aleix Garcia to be the Catalan club’s two loan signings from Man City this season. Garcia is already back with Girona and featured in their latest friendly against Bolton, but has yet to be announced.

City are in favour of the move and believe a year in La Liga will be good for Diaz’s development as a player, but the report from Spain is consistent with the one from England – stating Brahim is currently refusing a move and is eager to prove his worth to Guardiola.

Brahim is hoping to take advantage of the pre-season in a City side lacking many of its stars, who are on holidays after the World Cup, and indeed he started against Borussia Dortmund last night, featuring for 66 minutes before being replaced by Tom Dele-Bashiru.

The hope is that a compromise will be reached soon with Brahim renewing his contract and committing his long-term future to City, then ideally, for the club at least, spending the next year in Spain’s top-flight with Girona.