Man City Ready to Pay Rodri’s €70m Release Clause

Manchester City have identified Atletico Madrid’s Rodri as their priority midfield transfer target this summer, as per reports.

City believe the 22-year-old is the ideal candidate to strengthen their midfield and are prepared to pay his buy-out clause, which is thought to be €70 million (£60m/$80m).

City sporting director Txiki Begiristain was in attendance at Atletico’s Wanda Metropolitano stadium on Tuesday night for the Madrid club’s clash with Girona, who belong to the City Football Group.

Other leading European clubs are interested in Rodri, but City are especially determined to secure his signature having missed out on several high-profile targets in the last 18 months.

City boss Pep Guardiola is still frustrated by his club’s failed attempt to sign Frenkie de Jong from Ajax, which followed on the heels of Jorginho and Fred electing to go to Chelsea and Manchester United, respectively.

Begiristain, who is in charge of City’s transfer negotiations, is acutely aware that Rodri is now the preferred option of Guardiola and his coaching staff.