Rodri replacement search sees Manchester City linked to 30-year-old Serie A star – Bid of €50 million mooted

Manchester City’s new search for additional support in the absence of Rodri could now see them turn to a more seasoned option within the Italian game, according to reports.

The Spanish international and mainstay defensive midfielder for Manchester City is expected to be ruled out for the remainder of the ongoing season, having sustained knee ligament damage to his right knee in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

Undergoing surgery in Spain this week, Manchester City are understood to have little to no interest in rushing the player back to fitness, appreciating the need for a prolonged recovery process to ensure a full recovery from a serious injury.

As such, Pep Guardiola and his coaching staff, alongside input from the wider club and recruitment officials, will need to secure suitable replacement options in order to ensure that their season is not entirely derailed by Rodri’s injury.

Among those options is the utilising of Mateo Kovacic, Rico Lewis, John Stones, and Ilkay Gundogan in the defensive midfield role, whilst it is not ruled out that recruitment in January could take place to soften the blow.

And the latest information to emerge from Italian media has seen the Premier League champions linked with a new but experienced name from within Serie A, with a heavy price involved in any potential agreement.

According to the information of InterLive.it, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, Pep Guardiola and Manchester City are ‘ready to steal’ Inter Milan and Turkey international defensive midfielder, Hakan Çalhanoğlu during the upcoming January transfer window.

With a reported ‘temptation’ from within the Etihad Stadium for the 30-year-old, it is claimed that the Premier League champions are ready to make a ‘sensational offer’ to snatch the player from the Nerazzurri in the winter window.

The report states that Etihad Stadium officials are willing to make a ‘monstrous investment’ to sign the player, with the figure in question said to be around €50 million. Given the player remains contracted until the summer of 2027, it is suggested that Inter could reject such a bid.

Manchester City have already played out one contest without the presence of Rodri in the starting line-up or matchday squad, defeating Championship side Watford in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

A combination of Nico O’Reilly, with support from Rico Lewis, kept out Tom Cleverley’s attacking system, and ensured that Manchester City retain control of the match for most of the game.

It is unlikely that the teenage combination will start again this weekend, as Manchester City return to Premier League action with a trip to Newcastle United on Saturday lunchtime, but both players could certainly play a key role in supporting the position this season.