Rodri to Man City: Atletico Madrid star warned over alternative transfer targets

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Rodri has been warned that Manchester City are ready to consider alternative targets as a move for the Atletico Madrid midfielder continues to be delayed.

Pep Guardiola will turn to Lyon’s Tanguy Ndombele or Marcos Llorente of Real Madrid if a deal for Rodri cannot be reached.

The 22-year-old has been City’s primary target since missing out on Barcelona-bound Frenkie de Jong in January.

Rodri – who has asked for time to consider his future – has a release clause of £62million, meaning it would be easy for the Premier League champions to conclude a deal.

But confirmation that they are actively pursuing Ndombele and Llorente has raised doubts over the Spain international’s proposed move to the Etihad.

He added to the uncertainty when revealing his latest talks with Atletico.

He told Deportes Cuatro: “I've asked the club for some peace, for them to give me some space. It would be hypocritical to say I can ensure anything.

“The only thing I can say is that I have a contract with Atletico Madrid, I have a clause, I have conditions and I'm happy here. I can't say anything else because I don't know what is going on.”

Bayern Munich are also interested in Rodri, who Guardiola believes will add much-needed aerial presence to his squad.

The City manager has told chief executive Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain that a physically imposing holding midfielder is a must during this transfer window.

Guardiola has missed out on Fred, Jorginho and De Jong in each of the last three windows and is adamant a long-term successor to Fernandinho must be recruited before the start of next season.

Despite Ilkay Gundogan’s outstanding form when deputising for the Brazilian, it is still believed a specialist holding midfielder is required. And after Vincent Kompany’s departure this summer, Guardiola is also determined to add height to his domestic treble winners.

REUTERS/Phil Noble

Ndombele has been on City’s radar since his dominant performances against them in the Champions League last season, while Llorente has been watched extensively since breaking through at Real.

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