Manchester City are close to making Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodri their club record signing.
The 22-year old only joined Atleti from Villareal in May of 2018 for a fee of €20m plus various add-ons. But a good season under Diego Simeone has drawn comparisons with the likes of Sergio Busquets, and the interest of a number of Europe's top clubs.
Bayern Munich, who are on a youth drive in replenishing their squad this summer, are City's main competition in trying to sign the 7-cap Spain international. Rodri's buyout clause at Atletico is €70m (£63m), and City are said to have told the Madrid club they are prepared to stump-up such a fee.
Rodri would be seen as a long-term replacement for Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho, who turned 34 in May. Despite Bayern making contact with the player some weeks ago, the journalist Sam Lee says that Rodri has already informed Atletico of his desire to join the Premier League champions. Once the release clause fee is lodged to La Liga, City can open formal negotiations with the player.
Should he go, Rodri would become the latest big-name player to leave Atletico Madrid in a huge summer of upheaval for Los Rojiblancos. Antoine Griezmann has already informed the club he wants to go (likely to Barcelona). Diego Godin is Inter-bound, Lucas Hernandez has become the most expensive defender of all time in joining Bayern Munich, and Juanfran and Felipe Luis are both heading for the exit door at the Wanda Metripolitano.
Simeone has already identified Rodri's replacement, with Marcos Llorente set to move from city rivals, Real Madrid. Inter had been in talks with Llorente's uncle and agent Julio, but the 24-year old is keen to remain in the Spanish capital.
Rodri's capture would break Manchester City's transfer record. At €70m, it would nudge aside their previous biggest fee of €67m (£60m) paid to Leicester City for Riyad Mahrez last summer.
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