Steve Kay
Steve Kay
Updated: 6 Dec 2024 10:54 GMT
3 min read
Pepelu
© IMAGO
Manchester City scouts have pinpointed Valencia midfielder Pepelu as the ideal man to replace Rodri as the Spaniard recovers from his ACL injury, FootballTransfers has been told.
Sources have informed us that scouts of the Citizens have conducted data analysis and watched video footage of various matches featuring the 26-year-old.
Recruitment at Man City see Pepelu as potentially a smart and cost-effective acquisition that could be made in January, as they try and turn their fortunes around this season.
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Indeed, Pepelu is seen as a possible temporary replacement while Rodri recovers from injury and he would also provide solid backup once this year's Ballon d'Or winner returns to full fitness.
Since joining Valencia CF last July, the fellow Spaniard has become a pivotal player under head coach Ruben Baraja.
The Denia-born player featured in almost every match of La Liga last season, playing 3,215 minutes across 36 of the 38 games. He completed the most passes (1,913) and recoveries (46) in the team, and was also the squad's second-highest scorer in the league, having netted seven goals.
This season he has featured in 1,053 minutes of action, with four goal contributions across 11 games in all competitions.
Pepelu joined Valencia CF from Levante for €5 million in July 2023 - while he has a release clause of €100 million inserted into his contract that runs until June 2028.
Pepelu's call-up
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Rodri
© IMAGO - Rodri
In August, Pepelu was called up to Luis de la Fuente's side for Spain's Nations League group-stage matches against Serbia and Switzerland.
"I'm very happy, it's a very happy day for me, to receive the call-up from the national team," he said. "It's an unbeatable feeling, a dream that I've always said that I wanted to fulfil."
"I'm very happy for my family, for my friends, for all the people who have helped me get here. It has only been possible to fulfill it thanks to my teammates, to the coaching staff who have helped me a lot to grow as a player and as a person. Thanks to them, this day has come."