Replacing Rodri
©IMAGO
After Rodri’s injury, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola did not rule out a possible new addition to the defensive midfielder during the next winter transfer window. A Spanish media outlet has now identified a possible candidate: Martín Zubimendi of Real Sociedad San Sebastián.
« We are discussing internally. We now have time to see the potential problems we will have and then we will see what we want to do, » Guardiola said of possible replacements. After Rodri’s injury, it was a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United, a 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League and a 3-2 win over FC Fulham on last weekend after coming back to score. Mateo Kovacic, who played in the six for the Spaniard, scored two goals against the Cottagers.
However, the Citizens are not well positioned in central midfield, particularly in terms of width, and Rodri will not be able to play another game this season following his knee surgery. For this reason, Zubimendi has been considered a possible transfer target. The 25-year-old, his club’s most valuable player with a market value of €50 million, has often faced a transfer in the past. Besides FC Bayern, Liverpool FC were considered favorites last summer and were said to have already reached an agreement with the player before his cancellation.
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Man City could now progress with the 25-year-old, under contract with La Real until 2027. According to “Relevo”, this plan has matured among the English champions in recent days. The exit clause of 60 million euros should be paid; the Europa League participant is not ready to negotiate a lower sum. What makes the undertaking even more difficult is that Zubimendi himself is not currently thinking about a change.
Manchester City: Txiki Begiristain before saying goodbye in the summer of 2025
If the transfer goes through, it will likely be one of sporting director Txiki Begiristain’s last official acts at Man City. The 60-year-old has joined the Skyblues since October 2012 and is largely responsible for their success in recent years. According to “The Athletic”, the era will end at the end of the season and the successor will begin in early 2024.
Begiristain is a close confidant of Guardiola and had already appointed him coach of FC Barcelona in 2008 and brought him to Manchester in 2016. Five years ago, the Spaniard wanted to resign on his 55th birthday, but refused. is left convinced to continue. More recently, his impending end was closely linked to Guardiola’s future at the club.