Manchester City are willing to break their transfer record this summer by triggering a €70m (£60.8m) release clause in Rodri’s contract to take him to the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola was frustrated by City’s inability to close a deal for Jorginho last summer and the club were beaten by Barcelona in January to the signing of Frenkie De Jong.
Atletico will not accept any offers for Rodri but are powerless to prevent him from leaving if his release clause is meet.
The 22-year-old is in no rush to leave the Spanish capital and, though the chance to work with Pep Guardiola appeals to the midfielder, City may not be the only club willing to buyout his contract.
However, Simeone’s interest in Otamendi may go some way towards the two clubs finding an agreement. Otamendi, 31, has taken on a reduced role this term with Guardiola favouring one of John Stones or Vincent Kompany to partner first choice defender Aymeric Laporte.
Atletico are keen to sign an experienced defender after Diego Godin confirmed on Tuesday that he would be leaving the club this summer.
The Uruguayan looks set to join Inter Milan and Otamendi’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is believed to have already spoken to the La Liga giants about his client’s move to the Wanda Metropolitano.
Guardiola will not stand in Otamendi’s way should he choose to leave and is sympathetic towards the Argentine’s desire for regular first team football.
No comments:
Post a Comment