Manchester City on alert as Pep Guardiola set to reveal intention to leave Bayern Munich

Pep Guardiola is set to announce his decision to leave Bayern Munich, according to reports in Spain.

The 44-year-old former Barcelona coach has been strongly linked with Premier League club Manchester City, whose interest will be piqued by the anticipated announcement from Bavaria.

Yesterday, Marca reported that Guardiola has already informed the Bundesliga champions he is ready to seek out a new opportunity, the newspaper further claiming he is prepared to reject a €20m per season offer to continue at the Allianz Arena.

The Catalan has twice guided Bayern to the German title but the Champions League trophy has eluded him, with Real Madrid and then Barcelona eliminating the Bavarians in 2014 and 2015.

He took a year’s sabbatical after four successful seasons leading Barca and was announced as Jupp Heynckes’ summer replacement in the Bayern dugout back in January 2013.

Manuel Pellegrini remains in charge of City, but the two-time Premier League champions could be tempted to move quickly and secure Guardiola’s services should he make himself available in the new year.

Manchester United and Chelsea have also been linked with the former Spain midfielder.

Meanwhile, City striker Sergio Aguero has returned to full training as he steps up his recovery from a heel problem ahead of Monday’s trip to Arsenal.

Aguero has missed City’s last four games in all competitions due to the injury sustained in the 3-1 Premier League victory over Southampton on November 28.

The club announced on their website yesterday that the 27-year-old Argentina international had returned to normal training with the full City squad that morning.

And the statement, accompanying pictures of Aguero taking part in training, added: “Provided there is no reaction, (City boss) Manuel Pellegrini will hope to have Aguero available for the trip to the Emirates Stadium.”

City are currently third in the table, a point behind second-placed Arsenal and three adrift of leaders Leicester.

Former Gunners striker Thierry Henry believes City’s visit to the Emirates will be a “real test” of Arsenal’s title credentials.

Henry said: “The real test, and what I want to see, is how Arsenal cope with Man City; how they cope stopping them on the counter if they come and sit.

“It will be a massive one for the Premier League and I just want to see how Arsenal respond because I’m looking at the return fixtures and Arsenal have to go to Everton, Liverpool, Tottenham, United and City.

“They have all those fixtures so if you can get some points before against your rival for the title that is important.”