'From what I hear' - Man City tipped to make huge breakthrough in bid to keep star midfielder

Manchester City could be set to see a few star names leave this summer, and could see themselves go through somewhat of a rebuild as many of Pep Guardiola’s league winners are getting older.

Kevin De Bruyne is due to leave the club after his departure was announced last month, and the likes of Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva are also likely to leave as they are all the wrong side of 30.

It means that City may need to sign midfielders in the summer to make up for their departures. They will also need to ensure that they can keep as many central midfielders as possible.

City ‘likely to agree’ Rodri deal

Midfielder Rodri has had a disappointing season which has been plagued by injury after he won the Ballon d’Or for 2024 following his Euros win with the Spanish national team last summer. Reports have suggested that Real Madrid are interested in signing the 28-year-old who recently returned to training following his seven month absence due to an ACL injury that he suffered in September.

However, according to former Premier League scout Mick Brown, Man City are likely to reach an agreement to sign Rodri on a new contract - his current deal is due to expire in June 2027.

Brown told Football Insider: “Obviously, City are going to take steps to keep him at the club. He’s still very highly-rated there despite his injury and they want to keep their best players at the club, especially with De Bruyne on his way out.

“He’s been a huge miss to them while he’s been out so they won’t want to lose him permanently. Bare in mind, of course, he’s still the Ballon d’Or winner. It’s not a surprise to hear Real Madrid are interested because they’re always looking to sign the best players in the world if they can. But from what I hear and by all accounts, Rodri is happy at Man City and Man City are happy with him. I don’t think there is any intention on either side to see him leave this summer.”

Rodri has made just two Premier League appearances this season due to his injury problems, however, he is expected to return and be available ahead of the Club World Cup this summer.

Man City ‘offered’ Rodri backup

Looking ahead to next season, Pep Guardiola will be determined to make sure that the same thing doesn’t happen to Rodri next season with regards to his fitness and major injury. If that’s the case, City could bring in a midfielder to play as Rodri’s backup, and ease some of the workload on the Spanish international. They have recently been linked to Napoli midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.

Napoli representatives have been in London and Manchester, with one topic that they reportedly discussed was the future of Anguissa, who has Premier League experience with Fulham.

City could sign the midfielder who reportedly wants to come back to the Premier League. He has made 31 Serie A appearances this season, scoring six goals and providing Antonio Conte’s side with four assists.

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