There are now "internal conflicts" at Manchester City, with the club's hierarchy blocking a move for a player who Pep Guardiola wants to sign, according to a journalist.
Pep in disagreement with Man City board amid new contract update
Last November, Guardiola penned a new contract to extend his stay at the Etihad Stadium until 2027, but the manager has now suggested he could remain at the club for even longer, given that he is happy working with the current group of players.
The 54-year-old said: "I have two more years, maybe I'll extend two more years. So the question is when I will stop in this year or in two years, or in four years, I will take a break. But now I feel fine, I would say.
"The team is giving me good vibes, starting from the [Club] World Cup in the United States. There we created something. I saw something that I liked, that I missed last season."
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola before the match-1
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola before the match
It is important for any manager to have a good relationship with a club's hierarchy, and the City owners have certainly backed Pep in the transfer market this summer, bringing in the likes of Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, James Trafford and Rayan Ait-Nouri.
However, according to Sky Sports reporter Sacha Tavolieri, there are now "internal conflicts at Man City", which stem from the board not sanctioning a move for Rodrygo, despite the fact Real Madrid are now willing to let the Brazilian leave.
At one stage, the Blues were ready to make an offer of around €100m (£87m) for Rodrygo, but the City Group's executive director, Ferran Soriano, blocked the move for financial reasons.
Soriano also refused to sanction Savinho's potential move to Tottenham Hotspur, which indicates the 21-year-old is set to remain at the Etihad Stadium this summer.
City still set up for success without Rodrygo
It is clear to see why Guardiola is eager to sign the 24-year-old, given that he is vastly experienced at the top level, with the Brazil international winning 13 trophies during his time at Real Madrid, while also chipping in with 119 goal contributions in 270 outings.
However, the Blues sent out a warning to their Premier League title rivals with a dominant display against Wolverhampton Wanderers in their opening match, winning 4-0 at Molineux, and their attacking prowess was on full display.
Reijnders and Cherki bagged their first competitive goals for City either side of a brace from the ever-reliable Erling Haaland, while Guardiola also has the likes of Omar Marmoush and Savinho at his disposal.
As such, while Rodrygo would've been a luxury signing, Guardiola is already blessed with enough attacking talent to mount a title charge, and Soriano blocking the deal shouldn't be a major issue.