It looks like even a big and successful club like Barcelona has problems when it comes to keeping some of their players, as the rumors of Manchester City trying to approach Sergio Busquets haven’t gone smoothly with the Catalan side.

Manchester City have denied the rumors, but Barcelona president, Sandro Rosell, has gone on the record about City, and other clubs, trying to lure away his players, most of all Busquets (at the moment) with offers of a significant financial upgrade.

City are now doing at first team what Arsenal did at academy level: call players and offer them lots of money. Other clubs want to repeat our success and cause us to lose. Busquets is the last try from City, but we will remain calm.

Busquets, 24, has been with the Barcelona senior side since 2008, the beginning of the Pep Guardiola era, winning all the titles over the past four seasons. He took over the first team spot at defensive midfielder after Yaya Toure was sold to Manchester City. He has made 202 appearances for the club, scoring 7 goals. He’s also appeared 50 times for the national side, winning both the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

Not that Manchester City need a reason to spend money on top players, but another reason in the interest in Busquets is their problem at defensive midfielder, despite purchasing both Jack Rodwell and Javi Garcia this summer. When Yaya Toure leaves for the African Nations Cup mid-season, the lack of a quality player in the middle will be felt even more.