Pep Guardiola has gone public on his love for Real Madrid winger Rodrygo – a player Manchester City were heavily linked with in the summer.
With the prospect of Sylvinho leaving City for Tottenham, City were heavily linked with a move for Rodrygo, whose opportunities have been limited under Xabi Alonso.
Los Blancos stuck a transfer value of over €100 million on the Brazil star and no deal was done, yet the rumours linking the former Santos youth to the Etihad side have not died away, in spite of a record goal drought that only ended when he fired an angled shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Guardiola has done little to quell those links after giving the 24-year-old a glowing assessment after watching his side claim a 2-1 win at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
“They made us run more in the first half, much more than in the second. But it’s not just that they run, they also keep possession, they can dribble, and then there’s Rodrygo…” Guardiola said.
“I went to see him after the match. I told him he’s so good. He’s a player on another level… this kid is a player on another level. I’m happy he’s back from injury. He’s really, really good, it’s just impressive.”
Man City’s manager knows exactly what type of response his comments would get in the media and has openly fuelled transfer speculation as a consequence.
Rodrygo’s place in Alonso’s plans remains peripheral, and this has caused the 37-cap Brazil star to grow unsettled.
Would Real Madrid be open to a sale? Don’t discount it, given that Rodrygo’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) has plummeted since becoming a fixture on the bench. He is now worth just €75.2m and this continues to erode the longer he spends on the sidelines.
Vinicius Junior also has a role to play in his future. While there is doubt over the winger’s desire to sign a new contract, Madrid will be wary about allowing another such attacker go.
Guardiola’s message is loud and clear, though: Rodrgyo would be more than welcome at Manchester City.
