Manchester City place three names on Rodri replacement transfer shortlist amid contract fears | OneFootball

Three names in particular feature on a Manchester City shortlist as possible replacements for Rodri, should the Spaniard not accept new contractual terms.

Rodri remains one of Pep Guardiola’s most irreplaceable figures, but his recent injury setbacks – including a hamstring problem – have prompted executives to re-evaluate both his workload and future contractual framework.

The 29-year-old’s current deal runs until the summer of 2027, and while talks over an extension have been ongoing, discussions have not yet produced a full agreement or a formal announcement from any party.

However, with the club preparing for potential long-term transitions in midfield and across other key positions – as shown through the exits of Ilkay Gündoğan and Kevin De Bruyne in recent months – contingency planning has become standard practice at the Etihad Stadium.

The Premier League giants have a history of identifying replacements well in advance of departures, and similar groundwork preceded the arrivals of Josko Gvardiol and Matheus Nunes in 2023 as City built depth around possible exits and injuries in key roles.

And now, according to the information of SportsBoom, Manchester City are compiling a shortlist of replacements for defensive midfield star Rodri, should he decide not to sign a contract extension at the club.

Despite fitness concerns in recent months, Pep Guardiola still sees Rodri as a pivotal part of his plans at the club and does not want him to leave under any circumstances, and those in decision making positions are believed to be confident of striking a deal on a new contract.

Simultaneously however, it is insisted that Manchester City are continuing to scour the defensive midfield market for possible replacements, should Rodri not prove fitness or opt against new terms with the club.

FC Koln’s Said El Mala is a player the club are ‘closely monitoring’, while Sporting’s Morten Hjulmand and Bayern Munich’s Aleksander Pavlovic are two other alternatives that Manchester City officials are reportedly considering.

Should Manchester City’s contract talks with Rodri fail to progress, any potential move for a replacement is unlikely to occur before the summer of 2026 – aligning with Pep Guardiola’s preference for gradual squad evolution rather than abrupt transition.

That said, El Mala’s emergence in the Bundesliga and Pavlović’s continued rise under Bayern Munich have ensured both are being tracked closely by Manchester City’s scouting department, and their outings are expected to attract interest elsewhere.

Looking ahead, Manchester City’s focus will no doubt remain on securing Rodri’s signature before assessing further midfield reinforcement. The club’s hierarchy is expected to maintain discussions over a new deal to keep him central to their project for years to come.