According to the latest reports from the Metro, Manchester City are willing to break their transfer record to sign Atletico Madrid’s midfielder Rodrigo (also known as Rodri). Pep Guardiola is seeing the 22-year-old as a long term replacement for Fernandinho who is 34 now. City are said to be willing to trigger a release clause worth €70m for the midfielder.
It is believed that Atletico Madrid are unlikely to listen to offers for their star midfielder, but they would be powerless if the reigning Premier League champions go on to trigger his release clause. Atletico meanwhile would want City to sweeten the deal as they want to see an experienced defender coming their way in the summer. It is believed that Diego Simeone might want Nicolas Otamendi coming the other way in the same deal.
The Argentine defender has been used as a fourth choice centre back this season by Pep Guardiola. Aymeric Laporte has been a nailed on starter, and either John Stones or Vincent Kompany usually partner him.
Otamendi has started only 14 games this season in the Premier League, and it is clear that Guardiola is only seeing him as a backup option.
The Spanish manager is not expected to stand in Otamendi’s way if he is willing to leave the club for regular football. Atletico Madrid are interested in him as they are going to lose the service of Diego Godin in the summer. If Otamendi is involved in the deal, then we feel that City might not want to pay the full release clause amount for Rodrigo.
What will Rodrigo bring at the Etihad?
The 22-year-old is already a six-time Spanish international, and he has all the attributes needed for a defensive midfielder. He has that physical side to his game which should see him thrive in the Premier League. Along with that, he is willing to do the nitty gritty job as well. The Spaniard has decent ball control and passing abilities. He is technically sound, and the midfielder should be able to fit in well in Guardiola’s system.
What should Pep do?
The Citizens have been in search for a long term replacement for Fernandinho for quite some time now. They came close to signing Napoli’s Jorginho last summer, but Sarri was able to bring him to Chelsea with himself. We feel that Guardiola should use Otamendi in the deal to get the midfielder’s price down as the Argentine defender is surplus to requirements at the Etihad.
