Revealed: Man City fear Rodri could push for summer move to giants

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Published on:

06 Feb 2023, 1:55 am

Man City fear Rodri could push for a summer move to Barcelona, sources have told Football Insider.

The Spain international, 26, has been targeted by the Catalan giants as they weigh up potential successors to Sergio Busquets for the midfield anchorman role.

City believe Rodri is keen to head back to his homeland at some stage as he plots the next move in his career.

It will take a huge fee to prise the midfield anchorman from Etihad Stadium.

Rodri is secured to a five-year City contract signed last summer which runs until June 2027.

He is an untouchable member of Pep Guardiola's side and has started nearly all of his 30 appearances across all competitions this season.

The midfield superstar has won two Premier League titles and two League Cup trophies since joining the club from Atletico Madrid in 2019.

Kalvin Phillips was expected to provide competition for Rodri following his summer signing from Leeds United last summer (2022).

But the England international has been unable to break into Guardiola's side - making just one start across all competitions this season.

City have sanctioned exits for a number of big-name stars in recent years - including Joao Cancelo, who joined Bayern Munich on a loan-to-buy basis in January.

Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, and Oleksandr Zinchenko were all allowed to join direct Premier League rivals last summer (2022).

Man City have been linked with moves for midfield stars Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham with movement expected in the summer window.

The Premier League champions sit five points behind Arsenal atop the table.

Guardiola's side have played a game more than the Gunners and face off against Mikel Arteta's outfit next Wednesday (15 February).

In other news, pundit issues "big" Kalvin Phillips claim after Man City exit stance revealed.

Manchester City