RODRI wants to join Barcelona in a transfer blow for new Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca.
Spain’s World Cup winning captain is keen on a move back to his homeland after seven years at the Etihad.
Rodri wants to join Barcelona in a transfer blow for new Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca Credit: Getty
The World Cup winning captain is keen on a move back to Spain Credit: Reuters
And Barca are in pole position to beat Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid for the midfield maestro.
Rodri, 30, is in the final year of his City contract with no sign he is ready to extend his current deal.
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Real, who have agreed a £115.8million deal with RB Leipzig for Yan Diomande, 19, were willing to pay £43m for Rodri’s signature.
But no agreement has materialised and Barca have stepped up their interest.
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Barca midfielder Frenkie de Jong is expected to be out of action for a lengthy period after a medial knee ligament tear.
And a move to the Nou Camp would appeal to midfield ace Rodri given the bad blood he has with Real from when he won the Ballon d’Or in autumn 2024.
City, managed by Maresca after the Italian replaced Pep Guardiola this summer, had to give careful consideration to their own contract offer to Rodri – given the fact the defensive midfielder missed much of the last two years due to injury.
England midfielder Elliot Anderson has arrived for £116m but City could yet go to sign a replacement for Rodri if he leaves.
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Morocco’s World Cup star Ayyoub Bouaddi is keen on a move from Lille to City although the French club are holding out for around £85m.
Meanwhile, winger Jeremy Doku has become the latest player to commit his long-term future to City.
The Belgium international has penned a five-year deal which will keep him at the Etihad until 2031 with the option of a further year.
Phil Foden, Abdukodir Khusanov and Josko Gvardiol have already given new boss Enzo Maresca a boost by signing up for the long-term.
And Doku’s contract is expected to be officially confirmed when he returns to training at the City Football Academy next week.
The 24-year-old has become one of the most dangerous wide men in the Prem since arriving from Rennes in a £55 million deal three years ago.
His game developed under Pep Guardiola’s coaching and he was a key player last year as City won the domestic cup double.
Maresca is expected to rely heavily on getting the ball to wingers in his first season in charge so Doku is likely to be an integral part of his plans.
England midfielder Elliot Anderson has arrived at City for £116m Credit: Getty
Jeremy Doku became the latest player to commit his long-term future to City Credit: Getty
City could look to the transfer market if the likes of Rodri and Savinho depart.
However they are in no rush to do more business in the current window.
As well as the record signing of Anderson, they signed Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi in January and believe their recruitment has been strong this year.
Elsewhere, James Trafford became the third-most-expensive goalkeeper of all time as he left City after just one year to join Leeds in a £45m deal.
