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Real Madrid have a shortlist of three midfield targets ahead of the summer transfer window, which includes Man City’s Rodri, according to reports.
Catalan publication Mundo Deportivo have named the 29-year-old alongside Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.
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However, the La Liga giants’ “preferred choice” is Rodri, which raises the prospect of a bid being made for the former Ballon d’Or winner over the coming months.
Following Rodri’s comments on radio station Onda Cero last week, it seems he is actively encouraging Real to make a formal approach this summer.
Fernandez has been making similar overtures, but Wharton (who has also been linked with Liverpool and Manchester United) has kept quiet on his future.
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Man City have set an initial asking price
Mundo Deportivo claim that Pep Guardiola’s side could demand upwards of €100m (£87m) for Rodri, but that is likely to be only an initial negotiating position.
The midfielder will have just twelve months left on his contract at the Etihad at the end of the season, so realistically, the Cityzens may have to accept a lower amount.
From Real’s perspective, too, Rodri would be seen as the cheapest option, considering Chelsea and Crystal Palace may want closer to £100m for Fernandez and Wharton, respectively.
2 replacements for Rodri are being eyed
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali appear to be top targets if Rodri does end up leaving City after seven years.
Anderson and Tonali are valued just below or around the £100m mark, and there will be plenty of other suitors. Man Utd are said to be particularly keen on the pair as well.
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