Rodri could replace Fernandinho at Premier League champions Manchester City but will Pep Guardiola really get the La Liga midfielder?
Atletico Madrid are playing hardball over Manchester City’s attempts to sign midfielder Rodri and are demanding Nicolas Otamendi in exchange, according to the Metro.
Manchester City are scouring the market for a deep-lying play-maker capable of replacing the 34-year-old Fernandinho and it seems that Rodri is right at the top of their shopping list.
According to Goal, Pep Guardiola is a huge fan of the so-called ‘new Sergio Busquetts’ but the reigning Premier League champions might have to pay a joint-record fee with Rodri valued at £60 million.
And City might have to sacrifice one of their players to bring the Spain international to the Etihad Stadium.
Atletico are in need of a new centre-back after the legendary Diego Godin confirmed his departure this week and Diego Simeone is apparently keen to sign his fellow Argentine Otamendi.
The 31-year-old enjoyed arguably the best season of his career in La Liga in 2014/15, earning a £35 million move to Manchester City after shining in the white of Valencia.
With Otamendi struggling for game time this season, however, he could be viewed as collateral damage with Rodri looking like the perfect Fernandino successor.
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