Exclusive: City Football Group beat Chelsea to win the race for Uruguayan striker, City are huge admirers

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

HITC understands City Football Group have won the race to land Uruguayan star Luciano Rodriguez and he will be sent to Spain to play for La Liga side Girona.

City Football Group own a plethora of clubs around the world and it looks as if they have got their hands on Uruguayan sensation Luciano Rodriguez.

HITC reported a couple of months back that there was interest from the City Football Group in the 20-year-old striker and it now appears as if they have won the race for the talented forward.

Girona have had a superb season this campaign under manager Michel, with a third placed finish meaning that Champions League football will be a reality for the first time in the club’s history.

City Football Group win Rodriguez race

HITC can reveal that Italian outfit Palermo were also desperate to land Rodriguez ahead of their sister Spanish side, however, the Sicilian outfit have just missed out on promotion to Serie A and that means they won’t be able to land him.

With Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the head of the City Football Group, the English side would be keen on adding the forward to their arsenal but are also happy to see the forward develop at Girona.

City are not the only side who were keen with Todd Boehly’s Chelsea, who have certainly spent a significant amount of money on teenage stars from around South America in the past with Palmeiras winger Willian Estevao understood to be closing in on a move to Stamford Bridge. Despite Chelsea’s interest, he is moving to the City Football Group.

River Plate were also understood to be interested but they have, too, missed out. Sources have confirmed to HITC that a five-year deal is in place and they are paying around £12million to his club Liverpool FC of Montevideo.

Rodriguez on his future

Over the weekend, the Uruguayan striker was asked about the possibility of moving to the La Liga side and he has admitted it could happen.

Speaking to Radio Sport 890 AM, he said: “I don’t know if this was my last game with Liverpool, but it could be if you take into account what’s coming.

“The transfer issue is difficult to advance now because transfer periods they are still closed, but Girona is very real, it is very close and I hope we can get the chance to go there.”