Scouts at Manchester City have reportedly identified Valencia’s Pepelu as a potential replacement for Rodri at the heart of Pep Guardiola’s midfield, according to reports.
Officials within the Etihad Stadium are widely expected to enter the search for fresh midfield reinforcements during the upcoming January transfer window, but face the challenge of tempting clubs into notable sales.
A number of profiles from within the Premier League in particular are understood to be on Manchester City’s radar, but are unlikely to be seen as feasible options given their respective clubs’ strong stance on not selling midway through the campaign.
Those names include Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes, whilst further afield there is an admiration for the likes of Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Atalanta’s Éderson.
But now a new report has linked Manchester City with an interest in one of the rising stars of Spanish football, despite a mammoth release clause indicating that Etihad Stadium recruitment staff would need to enter into a negotiation for the player.
According to the information of Football Transfers’ Steve Kay, Manchester City scouts have now pinpointed Valencia’s Pepelu as the ideal profile to replace Rodri at the heart of their midfield whilst the latter recovers from his double knee injury.
It is claimed that City scouts have conducted data analysis and watched video footage of various matches featuring the 26-year-old and see the player as a potentially ‘smart and cost-effective acquisition’ that could be made in the upcoming January market.
However, it is also highlighted that Pepelu – who joined Valencia from Levante for just €5 million in July 2023 – has a release clause worth €100 million in an existing deal that runs through until June 2028.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has already indicated that talks will take place amongst senior club officials in the coming weeks over whether recruitment is absolutely necessary in the middle of the season.
“We will talk in January,” Pep Guardiola told a recent media conference. “It depends on the position [of the squad] at that moment.”
The Premier League champions are already preparing to welcome one name regardless of their decision on wider deals, with Claudio Echeverri joining the club from a loan deal at River Plate after a deal was struck for the Argentina youth international’s services in January 2024.