Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodri prefers to play for Manchester City ahead of other options next season, according to Marca.
It follows a separate report in Marca that claimed the player had informed Atleti he would leave when his €70m release clause was triggered, with City and Bayern Munich both attempting to sign him.
Rodri has been widely tipped to be the successor of Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets for the Spanish national team and City boss Pep Guardiola is said to see him in this mould.
Last month, a report in Diario AS claimed Rodri ‘is closer to playing in Manchester than Madrid next season’ with a deal appearing increasingly likely but Atleti are keen to clarify his future as soon as possible.
The 22-year-old only joined Los Rojiblancos from Villarreal in a deal worth an initial €20m plus a further €5m in add-ons but has since been linked with a move away.
The Madrid-native has won five international caps for Spain inside the past 12 months and is the latest Atleti midfielder to be linked to City, following on from Saul Niguez and Thomas Partey.
Bayern have already raided Atleti to sign Lucas Hernandez in an €80m deal this summer and are prepared to continue investing in their squad.
The midfielder’s contract at Atleti runs through until 2023 but the club would be powerless to prevent him leaving should his €70m release clause be met.
