City Offers €130 Million for 18-Year-Old
While Barcelona and Real Madrid court Rodri, Manchester City is in final negotiations to bring in Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille.
While Barcelona and Real Madrid court Rodri, Manchester City is in final negotiations to bring in Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille.
Manchester City is wasting no time. As uncertainty swirls around the future of Spain's national team captain Rodri, the English club's hierarchy is already in advanced talks over a transfer that would fill the void in midfield. The target is 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from French side Lille, for whom the Citizens are prepared to pay a whopping €130 million in compensation.
The young Moroccan shone for Lille last season, having already racked up 63 competitive appearances despite his teenage years. His performances have not gone unnoticed on the biggest stage either-his displays for Morocco at the World Cup further caught the attention of Europe's elite. City has been the quickest and most concrete in their pursuit, and it looks certain that Bouaddi will soon be officially unveiled as their new signing.
On the other hand, Manchester City, as reported by Sky Sports, has rejected Barcelona's initial bid for Rodri, which they consider far too low. Negotiations are currently on hold, but the Catalan club remains interested. Sources in Spain suggest Rodri would prefer a move to Barcelona over Real Madrid, who are also keen.
City, however, does not want to sell their captain and instead plans to offer him a new contract. But if Rodri explicitly requests a departure, the club will not stand in his way. Klix.ba reports that City could receive just under €50 million for Rodri, while Sky Sports estimates a range of £40-50 million.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has no doubts-Rodri should not be sold. "£40-50 million? If you're Manchester City, what's the point of selling him? You'd rather keep him for another year," Carragher said. "He's as good as anyone in that position in the Premier League, probably the best. Watching him at the World Cup, he's back to his best form."
Carragher also reflected on last season: "In the second half of the season, he and Bernardo Silva were fantastic and almost led City to the title. If I were City's manager, I'd keep Rodri at that price. It would take something truly special for me to want to lose arguably the best midfielder in the world."
That Rodri is not easily replaceable is confirmed by Pep Guardiola's statement, as quoted by Sky Sports: "The best midfielder in the world, by far." Laura Hunter, a Sky Sports analyst, adds: "Despite his age and recent injuries, Rodri remains the most complete central midfielder to have played in the Premier League over the past five years." She also noted that City failed to win the title in the two seasons Rodri was plagued by injuries, including the one where Liverpool, under Arne Slot, took the crown.
If Rodri does leave, City is considering several options. Sky in Italy reports that Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez would be a "dream" for manager Enzo Maresca, although earlier this summer City sources indicated they were not interested in the Argentine. The situation is fluid, and City could even bring in two players if Rodri joins Barcelona. Carragher believes Elliot Anderson, the 23-year-old England international, has already arrived as a sort of replacement for Bernardo Silva, who moved to Real Madrid, but Rodri's departure would leave a massive hole.
"City paid £60 million for Rodri. If they get £40 million back now, what can they do with that money? Not much. I'd rather keep him," Carragher concluded, suggesting the best option might be to let him leave for free when his contract expires.
