Manchester City are intent on triggering the €70m release clause of Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodri this summer, say the Telegraph.
The English champions – who are also said to be closing in on Sporting CP midfielder Bruno Fernandes – are said to be intent on signing the Spain international.
The 22-year-old only joined Atleti 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.
In April, Onda Cero reported that Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Manchester City are all keen on his signature.
Following on from those reports, Diario AS said that the midfielder had told Atleti he wanted to stay but the club are powerless should his release clause be met.
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.
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.
Bayern Munich – who have also been linked – 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.
