Manchester City's Rodri reacts
Manchester City midfielder Rodri is the subject of interest from Barcelona, with the La Liga club prepared to pay £80m for him this summer, according to Football Insider.
The Lowdown: Midfield rebuild needed?
Man City manager Pep Guardiola is faced with the prospect of having to rebuild his midfield in the summer, given that Ilkay Gundogan is yet to sign a new deal to extend his stay beyond the end of the season.
In addition, West Ham United are said to be eyeing Kalvin Phillips, while Bernardo Silva is in the sights of both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, according to reports from France.
The Latest: Rodri targeted by Barcelona
It does not end there for Guardiola, as Rodri is now also being targeted by Barcelona, as per Football Insider, and they are said to have already started laying the groundwork ahead of a potential deal.
The La Liga club would be willing to spend £80m to secure the midfielder’s services in the summer, and City are fearful that he will be tempted by a move back to his homeland.
The Verdict: Rodri must stay
Even though Barcelona are prepared to shell out a huge amount of money for Rodri, it is imperative that City keep hold of him, as he would be almost impossible to replace.
Some members of the media have lauded the 26-year-old as ‘phenomenal’, while also proclaiming that he is ‘the best in his position in the world’, and there is a very strong case for that being true, given his exceptional passing ability.
The Spaniard ranks in the 98th percentile compared to other midfielders for his pass completion rate over the past year, while he is also dominant in the air, placing in the 96th percentile for aerial duels won per 90 among positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues.
Rodri’s ability, combined with the possibility that City could also lose the likes of Gundogan and Phillips this summer, makes it absolutely essential that Guardiola rejects any advances from Barcelona for his compatriot.
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