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Manchester City are not expected to view Ayyoub Bouaddi solely as a Rodri replacement and, even after breaking their club transfer record to bring in Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, may still pursue what would undoubtedly be another massive outlay for Enzo Fernández.
The two deals for Anderson, who completed his move in early July before being officially presented once his 2026 World Cup campaign with England wrapped up, and Bouaddi, not yet finalized but widely considered imminent, will amount to $267 million (£198 million).
Reviving interest in Fernández—first reported before last season concluded—could push that total beyond $400 million should Rodri depart, with Barcelona appearing the most likely destination over Real Madrid following a Catalan intervention in the race.
The Manchester Evening News reports that City will operate a like-for-like replacement policy for any player who departs during the remainder of the summer window. Beyond Rodri, that could also apply to Tijjani Reijnders, who is now strongly linked with a move to Nottingham Forest.
Alongside Bouaddi, this could result in three new midfielders arriving at the club within a single month. Any further departures would similarly be addressed—winger Savinho being one such example.
First Rodri Bid Rejected
For the time being, Rodri remains a City player. The club is "open to selling" the 2024 Ballon d'Or holder, per BBC Sport, but has rejected Barcelona's opening bid.
That offer came in at $52 million (£38.5 million), well below an asking price that is nearly double that figure. City are holding out for a fee exceeding $81 million (£60 million) before agreeing to part ways with Rodri.
Despite previously expressing interest in a Real Madrid move and actually being a native of the city, the player himself is reported to have given the green light to negotiations with Barcelona. The same report also indicates that discussions with Real Madrid have come to a complete halt.
Enzo Fernández Is 'Dream' Rodri Replacement
Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Enzo Maresca's "dream" candidate to fill Rodri's role "has a specific name." That name is Enzo Fernández.
The connection is clear given the 18 months they shared at Chelsea, a partnership that ended in January following City's approach about potentially succeeding Pep Guardiola. Maresca had appointed Fernández as one of Chelsea's vice-captains back in 2024.
It had seemed as though Fernández might be running out of routes to leave Stamford Bridge this summer. He publicly expressed his desire for Real Madrid on multiple occasions last season without receiving much encouragement from the Spanish capital, while a move to Paris Saint-Germain never appeared particularly realistic.
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City's interest, which emerged as an opportunistic development, surfaced in late April. However, within a few weeks it had cooled and no formal approach for the Argentina international was anticipated this summer.
That situation may now be shifting, as City are at least "considering" making another move for him. Whether Chelsea have any desire to sell, and at what valuation, remains an entirely separate question and could derail any pursuit from Manchester before it gains real momentum.
In that case, City would need to explore alternative options to replace Rodri—though directly addressing his departure in some form, should Barcelona succeed in striking an agreement, looks all but inevitable.