Manchester City’s frontline could yet be completely different next season to what it is now, with Pep Guardiola bound to do some reshuffling and some spending in the summer.
Expect Pep Guardiola to retain a 4-2-3-1 formation next season, and expect Erling Haaland to lead the line once again after another prolific season for the Norwegian hitman.
Then expect Pep to fit Omar Marmoush into the Manchester City XI somewhere, but where remains a bit of a mystery. Previous reports suggested that Pep wants to play Marmoush on the left but he’s performing well in the no.10 role.
Then on the right we’ll likely see Savinho retain his spot, unless Pep spends big on a new player for that position, with Savinho having shown great potential this season, albeit still lacking goals from his game.
It seems like the left side of Manchester City’s attack is the position most up for grabs. Pep has the likes of Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden for that position but neither have really made it their own, and both can play in other positions too.
One name who could now come in and fill that void for good is Rodrygo.
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
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Rodrygo’s Dad held private talks with Pep over Manchester City move
Real Madrid and Brazil star Rodrygo has been mentioned alongside Manchester City on and off throughout this season. It’s thought Carlos Ancelotti and Real Madrid will offload Rodrygo at the right price, with reports having suggested that the Galacticos want around €150million (£125million) for the 24-year-old, who’s scored six and assisted five more in 25 La Liga appearances this season.
Speaking on Spanish TV channel OK Diaro, journalist Eduardo Inda has revealed that Rodrygo’s Dad has actually already had a meeting with Pep this year, and that Manchester City want Rodrygo to join in the summer and play on the left wing for Pep’s side.
Inda explained: “They tell me that Rodrygo’s father—those close to him deny it, but they tell me he goes to church – he met with people from Manchester City a few weeks ago, and they insist he play with Pep Guardiola. They’re offering him to play on the left wing, which is what the kid and his father want. Real Madrid can’t guarantee him that position because of Vinicius and Mbappé. City would offer him to play in that position and for more money.”
Rodrygo’s current Real Madrid salary vs Manchester City’s highest-paid player
Interestingly at the end there, Inda suggests that City are ready to offer Rodrygo a pay rise to move to the Etihad this summer. Per Salary Sport, Rodrygo already earns £198,000-a-week at the Bernabeu, which would rank him as the seventh highest-earner at City.
But a pay rise would likely see him earn well over the £200,000-a-week threshold and, according to the same source, overtake both Josko Gvardiol and John Stones in terms of wages.
City’s highest-paid players right now are Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne both at £340,000-a-week, though it’s likely De Bruyne leaves the club this summer, along with names like Stones, so there’ll be big gaps opening up on the City wage bill for a marquee signing like Rodrygo.