Pep Guardiola has reportedly made his frustration clear behind the scenes as Arsenal close in on a sensational late move to hijack Manchester City’s proposed deal for highly rated midfielder Igor Tyjon, a player the City manager had personally identified as a key part of his long-term project at the Etihad.
Sources close to the situation suggest Guardiola is far from pleased with how events have unfolded, with Arsenal moving decisively in the final stages of negotiations to steal a march on their Premier League rivals. City had spent weeks laying the groundwork for the transfer, holding productive talks with Tyjon’s representatives and believing they were in pole position to complete the deal before the window progressed further. However, Arsenal’s sudden acceleration, combined with a more attractive sporting project presented to the player, has dramatically shifted the balance.
Guardiola is understood to be particularly disappointed because Tyjon was seen as a perfect fit for City’s evolving midfield. The Spaniard admires the player’s intelligence on the ball, tactical discipline, and ability to operate in multiple roles across midfield. In internal discussions, Tyjon had been described as a player who could be developed into a long-term successor to some of City’s senior stars, blending seamlessly into Guardiola’s possession-based system while adding energy and verticality.
What appears to have unsettled Guardiola most is the sense that Arsenal have learned from recent transfer battles between the two clubs and acted ruthlessly. Mikel Arteta, a former Guardiola assistant, knows City’s recruitment strategy well and has reportedly used that insight to convince Tyjon that Arsenal is the better destination at this stage of his career. Arteta’s pitch focused heavily on immediate opportunities, a central role in the squad, and the chance to be a defining figure rather than part of a rotation-heavy system.
From City’s perspective, the move feels like more than just losing a transfer target. Arsenal’s rise as genuine title contenders has already altered the power dynamics at the top of English football, and this potential hijack is being viewed as another statement of intent from the North London club. Guardiola is believed to be concerned that allowing Arsenal to land a player City had tracked so closely could strengthen a direct rival while forcing City back into an already competitive market for alternatives.
Those close to Guardiola say he has questioned the timing of Arsenal’s approach, feeling City’s work was undermined at a delicate stage of negotiations. While the City manager remains composed publicly, internally there is frustration that a deal once considered straightforward has slipped away. Guardiola reportedly feels Tyjon would have benefited immensely from City’s environment, coaching structure, and pathway to elite European success.
On Arsenal’s side, confidence is growing that the deal can be completed quickly. Tyjon is said to be impressed by Arteta’s vision, the club’s recent progress in the Premier League, and the promise of significant minutes in high-stakes matches. Arsenal believe the player sees the Emirates as the ideal platform to accelerate his development while playing a key role in a side pushing for major honours.
If the transfer is finalised, it will mark another chapter in the increasingly intense rivalry between Guardiola and Arteta, one that now extends beyond the touchline and deep into the transfer market. For Guardiola, missing out on Tyjon is a reminder that Manchester City are no longer operating in a space where elite talents automatically choose them over domestic rivals. For Arsenal, hijacking the deal would represent a powerful signal that they are ready to challenge City not just in matches, but in shaping the future of the Premier League itself.
As things stand, Guardiola may be forced to move on quickly and identify alternative targets, but the irritation surrounding the Tyjon situation is unlikely to fade anytime soon. Should Arsenal complete the hijack, it will be remembered as a moment where City’s dominance in the transfer market was directly challenged, and where Guardiola was left watching a player he truly wanted slip into the hands of a rival determined to dethrone him.