MANCHESTER CITY have reportedly agreed a £61million fee with Atletico Madrid to sign Rodri.
The 22-year-old could well be the long-term successor to veteran Fernandinho, who the club have so far failed to find a capable deputy.
Rodri has a £61 million release clause with the Spanish outfit, and it is reported by AS that City have agreed to meet that.
Now all that is left to happen is for the player himself to agree to a switch to the Premier League.
Rodri, 22, only joined Atleti less than a year ago in a £20m switch from Villarreal.
But he has already gone on to become a key member of Diego Simeone’s squad, making 39 appearances in all competitions this term.
He has been named as the “new Busquets” by many in the Spanish media.
Rodri has also won six caps for Spain in the last year and has caught the eye of Guardiola.
The Premier League winner has long craved a new midfielder to support the likes of Fernandinho.
While Kevin De Bruyne’s recent injury problems have left City light on options in the middle of the park.
Atletico have no intention of selling Rodri though, which means Pep will have to pay his £61m release clause.
That’s £600k more than City paid for current record signing Riyad Mahrez, who joined from Leicester last summer.
And it might not be the only raid on Atletico Madrid from City this summer.
Barcelona are understood to be leading the race to nab the French World Cup winner – who has netted 21 goals in 47 games this campaign.
But they are believed to be facing stern competition from the Citizens, with Sportclaiming that Pep Guardiola is desperate to bring him to England.
They state that the ex-Barca boss has already let Griezmann know they are prepared to pay his release clause as City look to beat the Catalan club for his signature.
