Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reportedly identified Hakan Çalhanoğlu as his preferred replacement for Rodri during the January transfer window.
The Citizens began their Premier League campaign strongly, securing seven wins in their first nine matches. However, back-to-back league defeats have exposed a vulnerability in midfield, particularly in Rodri’s absence.
Rodri, who won the Ballon d’Or in October, suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury during City’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal on September 22.
His absence has left a significant gap in Guardiola’s midfield, prompting speculation that the club will reinforce their squad in January. Reports from Spain suggest Guardiola has set his sights on Inter Milan’s Çalhanoğlu to fill the void.
The Turkish international is admired for his passing accuracy, vision, and ability to deliver powerful shots from mid-range—qualities Guardiola values, especially in high-stakes moments. These attributes remind Guardiola of Rodri’s offensive contributions.
Manchester City are reportedly prepared to offer €45 million (£37 million) to secure Çalhanoğlu’s services, despite Inter Milan’s reluctance to sell. However, Inter may consider the deal given the midfielder’s age—he will soon turn 31—and the substantial financial offer.
Guardiola is reportedly confident Çalhanoğlu can adapt quickly to the demands of the Premier League and his tactical system at City. Meanwhile, the club has reportedly abandoned interest in Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong due to underwhelming recent performances from the Dutch midfielder.
City’s struggles were evident in their recent 2-1 defeat to Brighton, a match that drew criticism for their poor second-half performance. Jamie Redknapp, speaking on Sky Sports, described it as “one of the worst halves of football” he had seen from a Guardiola-led team.
Redknapp noted the team’s lack of defensive organization, failure to win key battles, and inability to control the game under pressure.
He highlighted the need for leadership during such challenging moments, questioning who among City’s players could step up to stabilize the situation.
Despite an excellent first half where City could have been three goals ahead, their collapse in the second half underlined the challenges they face without key figures like Rodri to anchor the midfield.
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