Exclusive: Representatives of Real Madrid forward make contact with figures close to Manchester City | OneFootball

Representatives of Real Madrid and Brazil international forward Rodrygo have made contact with figures close to Manchester City, City Xtra can reveal.

Officials within the Etihad Stadium are due to analyse the extent of their rebuild over the course of the coming days, beyond which movements are expected to be made with urgency prior to the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

The current understanding in various quarters is that City are anticipating a minimum of four arrivals into the player squad before any proposals for existing names are weighed up and considered, while other profiles could already be targeted for exits.

Kevin De Bruyne’s departure leaves a considerable hole in the creative midfield department, while Kyle Walker will need to be replaced and some of the club’s other ageing stars may be eyed for possible approaches within the game over the coming weeks.

That includes Jack Grealish, who is believed to be one potential departure from Pep Guardiola’s playing squad, although a temporary exit from the club is deemed as more likely over the summer than a permanent deal.

As such, Manchester City will no doubt be wanting to replace the Englishman in their attacking unit, and one possible opportunity may have emerged in the Spanish game, with Rodrygo not believed to be a crucial part of Los Blancos’ plans.

Should that be the case, the 24-year-old will not be short of options throughout the top of the European game, and the latest understanding is that there could be a mutual interest in a switch to the Etihad Stadium.

That is according to the information of City Xtra Português, who can reveal that representatives of the Real Madrid forward have been in contact with people close to Manchester City to enquire about both the club itself and the city.

However, as of now, it must be stressed that there have been no official talks between Manchester City’s recruitment bosses and the player directly, nor have there been any conversations with Real Madrid concerning a potential transfer.

With that being said, City Xtra Português understands that both Manchester City and Rodrygo are interested in the idea of a summer move to the Etihad Stadium from the La Liga giants.

These developments come just days after Manchester City exited the chase for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz – a player originally viewed as an integral part of the club’s recruitment plans and life beyond Kevin De Bruyne.

Ultimately, a deal for the Germany international was deemed as excessive from a financial perspective, and that withdrawn interest has since left the door open for Premier League rivals Liverpool to conclude an agreement for the 22-year-old.

It is yet to be fully understood just how much Manchester City will have available in the way of finances this summer, and particularly how much it could cost to secure a move for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.

However, a clear need for attacking reinforcement and added creativity will leave many clubs realising the potential of gaining funds from Manchester City this summer, who are unlikely to find any bargains when it comes to players of interest.

Elsewhere in the market and Manchester City are expected to intensify their hunt for AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders as well as Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, while Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri and Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento are full-back targets.