Premier League champions Manchester City have reportedly held talks with Atletico Madrid’s La Liga ace Rodri, who will cost £63million.
Manchester City have made a formal offer to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodri, according to AS, and the Spain international is increasingly close to becoming Pep Guardiola’s first summer signing.
The former Villarreal midfielder, who returned to former club Atletico last summer, has emerged as City’s first choice midfield target as the newly crowned Premier League champions look to replace the 34-year-old Fernandinho.
And AS reports that Rodri is ‘determined’ to join compatriots David Silva and Aymeric Laporte at The Etihad, having been offered a lucrative contract which is expected to run for at least five years. City will hand him a big pay rise.
Guardiola also has spoken to the 22-year-old in an attempt to lure him to City and it seems the former Barcelona boss has been successful.
Rodri, who has been compared to Guardiola’s former favourite Sergio Busquets, allegedly feels he would be better suited playing under the Catalan than the more pragmatic Diego Simeone at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Atletico would love for Rodri to stay but they will be powerless to prevent him from walking away if Manchester City trigger his £63 million release clause – a fee that would make the youngster the club’s new record signing.
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