Manchester City launch offer for January Rodri replacement: report

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Manchester City have lost Rodri to injury, prompting the need for a new signing

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (Image credit: Getty Images)

Manchester City are ready to bring in a new defensive midfielder to save their season.

The champions haven't won in the last seven games. Pep Guardiola – ranked at no.5 in FourFourTwo's list of the greatest managers ever – has never gone this long without a win in his career.

And Sunday's defeat to Liverpool has highlighted how important a new holding midfielder is, in the absence of Rodri, with the Sky Blues set to enter the market this winter.

Manchester City looking to bring in €35m star to fix midfield woes

Rodri being interviewed for the cover of FourFourTwo magazine in Madrid

Rodri being interviewed for the cover of FourFourTwo magazine in Madrid (Image credit: Luis Soto)

2024 Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, ranked as the best player on Earth right now by FourFourTwo, has been a huge miss for Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola has been unable to replace his talisman at No.6, since Rodri suffered an ACL injury in September, using Mateo Kovacic most often in the role. But with the Croatian now injured, too, and Ilkay Gundogan looking a shadow of his former self, the need for a new midfielder has perhaps never been greater.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 24: Ilkay Guendogan of Manchester City applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Ilkay Gundogan hasn't looked himself lately (Image credit: Getty Images)

In Italy, MilanLive.it have reported on Manchester City pursuing Italian midfielder Samuele Ricci, just days after Calciomercato wrote about the interest from the Premier League champions.

Guardiola's side are said to be preparing a ”maxi offer” for the 23-year-old with Milan sniffing, too, with Torino struggling to keep the star from the clutches of bigger clubs.

A €35 million offer should be enough to do business and blow Milan out of the race, reportedly – with Ricci having just 18 months left on his contract with Il Toro.

FourFourTwo understands that City could look to tie up another midfielder next month, as they're in the market to sign a player who can play with Rodri, too, as they eye a return for the Euro 2024 winner.

Turin, Italy - September 24: Samuele Ricci of Torino Fc controls the ball during the Coppa Italia round of 16 match between Torino FC and Empoli FC at Stadio Olimpico on September 24, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by sportinfoto/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Samuele Ricci of Torino is wanted at City (Image credit: Getty Images)

A superb tempo-controller and secure option in possession, Ricci is comparable to Jorginho – and FourFourTwo believes that this is a deal that shouldn't be too difficult to complete, with City breaking their record for transfer income earlier this season and having the financial muscle to make this deal, and potentially another next month.

Ricci is worth €28m, according to Transfermarkt. City take on Nottingham Forest this week when Premier League action returns.

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.