Pablo Barrios, Atletico Madrid's midfielder, has become a priority for Manchester City to strengthen their midfield, based on a direct request from the coach Pep Guardiola, as revealed by the website 'Fichajes'.

The player has seen rapid development recently, transforming from a promising talent to a key figure in Atletico Madrid's squad, becoming one of the team's most prominent and influential players, attracting the attention of major European clubs.

The report confirmed that Atletico Madrid's management is aware of the value of the 22-year-old player and is seeking to secure him by renewing his contract, but they face difficulty amid the growing interest from Premier League clubs with substantial financial capabilities.

The source explained that Manchester City tops the list of interested clubs, as Guardiola believes Barrios possesses the right qualities to fit into his playing style, both in terms of tactical discipline and the ability to control the midfield.

According to the same report, Atletico Madrid has set a minimum amount of 80 million euros to part with Barrios, at a time when the player prefers to stay with the club, despite Manchester City's serious interest and the possibility of decisive developments during the summer transfer market.