Manchester City turn to FC Porto star as Rodri replacement hunt intensifies | OneFootball

Officials at Manchester City have reportedly turned their attentions towards FC Porto and a possible replacement for Rodri within the Portuguese club.

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City staff are currently in the process of sourcing the best-possible solution to covering for the season-long injury sustained by Rodri, who underwent surgery in Spain last month.

The last few games have seen Manchester City trialling a number of options in the defensive midfield role, with Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan having been accompanied by the likes of Manuel Akanji and Rico Lewis in the position.

Whilst Guardiola is seemingly content with what he has seen so far from those who have covered in the position, it remains to be seen whether Manchester City identify a potential new solution for the role at the right price in the January market.

The latest reports have pointed towards a new name when it comes to Manchester City’s ongoing search for defensive midfield talents, with a scouting mission having taken place in Portugal recently.

According to the information of Football Transfers’ Steve Kay, Manchester City are ‘keeping a close eye on’ FC Porto defensive midfielder, Alan Varela with scouts from the Premier League champions said to have recently assessed his performance.

It is explained that City have now compiled a list of potential replacements for the long-term injured Rodri, with Varela ‘featuring prominently’ and not just viewed as a temporary replacement, but also as someone who could partner Rodri when he returns.

Varela is said to have a release clause available to be triggered in his existing FC Porto contract, worth around €70 million – which would likely be affordable given the finances secured when Julian Alvarez left the Etihad Stadium for Atletico Madrid in the summer.

It remains to be seen whether Pep Guardiola will indicate a need for a new defensive midfielder in his squad for the remainder of the season, however Manchester City would ideally like to find long-term support for Rodri regardless of the present situation.

Kalvin Phillips had previously been identified as a solution to reducing the demands on the Spaniard, however the former Leeds United man struggled to embed himself into the tactical operation at the Etihad Stadium, and is now trying to rebuild his career with Ipswich Town.

Other names to have been linked with Manchester City and the club’s defensive midfield role include Torino’s Samuele Ricci, Atalanta’s Éderson, and Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella, all of whom would command significant transfer fees in the winter window.