Manu Kone in action for Roma, with Adam Wharton in action for Crystal Palace
Manu Kone in action for Roma, with Adam Wharton in action for Crystal Palace
Manchester City have established a three-man shortlist of targets to replace Rodri this month, sources have told Football Insider.
The 30-year-old's move to Barcelona has come as a significant blow to Enzo Maresca's plans, with the boss having confessed the club are attempting to find "the new Rodri".
A number of options from across European football are being considered, with plans accelerating in the closing stages of the summer window, with three top targets in mind.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Man City are targeting Ayyoub Bouaddi, Adam Wharton and Manu Kone late in the window.
The three midfield stars, of Lille, Crystal Palace and Roma respectively, are being considered as long-term replacements for Rodri, who can fill the gap for years to come.
In terms of where they rank on City's list, Bouaddi is the clear first-choice, while Kone is expected to outrank Wharton given Crystal Palace's stance on selling their star man.
Who is Man City's top target to replace Rodri?
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 21 August that Man City are closing in on an agreement for Bouaddi and hope to announce him in the coming days.
Since then, a full agreement was reached with Lille, as the Morocco international has been identified as their top target to plug the gap left by Rodri in their midfield.
There is also an acceptance that they will not be able to sign all three of their targets, especially after landing Elliot Anderson, as they now turn back to their shortlist.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "They are rebuilding that midfield, Man City, with Bernardo Silva leaving this summer, Rodri's gone, Tijjani Reijnders has gone as well.
"Obviously, so far, they've only brought in Elliot Anderson, but it does look like they will send Bouaddi from Lille to fill the void of Rodri.
"I'm sure Wharton has been on that list at Manchester City I'm not sure how necessarily high up on that list he is because they're also looking at the Roma and France midfielder Manu Kone.
"They can't bring all these midfielders in, so it looks like Bouaddi is going to be top of that list, then Kone and Wharton, who I don't think Crystal Palace will be willing to lose.
"So it does look like City are maybe pursuing other midfielders right now ahead of Wharton, and they will turn back to their list of targets in the closing stages of the window."
What is the latest on Adam Wharton's future?
Wharton is believed to rank the lowest on Man City's shortlist of targets, although that is not an indictment of the midfielder's quality, rather a show of strength from Crystal Palace.
Football Insider revealed on 23 August that Crystal Palace will not allow Wharton to leave the club this summer, despite Man City having made an approach for his services.
Following the arrival of Pierre Sage as their new manager, the Eagles are keen to avoid further changes, and the new boss has already ruled out any more major sales.
City enquired about the midfielder's availability in the days following Rodri's departure, but saw their attempts dismissed out of hand.
Man City have been told a deal for Wharton may be more achievable next summer if they were to return, but they will be forced to look elsewhere in the meantime.