Pep Guardiola reportedly played an influential role in Monaco signing Eric Abidal on a free transfer this summer.
The Frenchman, who was released from Barcelona at the end of his Camp Nou contract, commented earlier this week that Bayern Munich were interested in his services, but that doubts over his health saw the Germans pull out.
Even so, Mundo Deportivo report that the Bavarians’ new Coach Guardiola, who worked with Abidal at Barcelona, encouraged Monaco boss Claudio Ranieri to sign the 34-year-old.
The Italian reportedly rang Guardiola for an opinion on whether or not to risk the deal for the player, who only this year returned to playing after a liver transplant.
“Do not think twice,” Guardiola reportedly responded to Ranieri.
“Sign him and I am sure that at Christmas you will call me and thank me.”
Ranieri reportedly only waited 15 days before calling Guardiola back: “I will not wait until Christmas. Today, I want to thank you for recommending Eric for my team.”
