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Man City could be handed perfect Rodri replacement transfer opportunity

Rodri leaves the pitch following an injury during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City's Rodri suffered a serious knee injury in the Premier League clash against Arsenal earlier in the season.

Manchester City could be handed the perfect opportunity to bring in a replacement for the injured Rodri in the January transfer window with Newcastle ‘braced’ for a bid for Bruno Guimaraes.

City are without the influential Rodri for the next few months after he suffered a serious knee injury back in September. Pep Guardiola’s men have felt the absence of their key player, having won just one of their last nine games in all competitions.

It leaves them in fourth place in the Premier League, eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool. Arne Slot’s team also have a game in hand over their rivals.

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City could turn to the January transfer window to try and help them in the second half of the season. TalkSPORT report that the club are ‘expected to back’ Guardiola in the window, after he signed a new deal with the club last month.

The report adds that Guimaraes was up high on their list of summer targets, and Newcastle are ready for a January bid to be made. The Magpies are reported to still be under pressure to sell players to avoid breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability rules (PSRs).

Guimaraes has been a key player for Eddie Howe’s side since moving from Lyon in January 2022. He has worn the captain’s armband for the club throughout this season, starting every Premier League game in the defensive midfield role.

Speaking last week, Howe made an admission about Newcastle’s transfer business in the upcoming window. “The days when teams don't sell big players are gone,” he said.

"I think our revenue streams aren't where we want them to be. We're still trying to grow them, so I think trading in and out is going to be essential.

"Hopefully it's not going to be players that we're forced to sell, but you can't guarantee anything. The issue with PSR and our position is that nothing is clear-cut. Nothing is absolutely fixed - there will be lots of twists and turns during January. But we want to try and improve the squad."

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