Man City are ‘ready to go all out for £50m Rodri replacement in January’ with Pep Guardiola’s side ‘keen to replace stricken midfielder with highly regarded Spanish star’

Manchester City have been dealt a huge blow as Rodri suffered a serious knee injury, but according to reports in Spain the Premier League champions will do everything they can to sign a replacement in January.

Rodri has become arguably the most important defensive midfielder in the world and as such it is unlikely that any player can adequately copy what the Spanish star does for Pep Guardiola’s side.

However, according to RelevoThe Citizens are thought to be keeping an eye on a deep-lying midfielder who is appearing with increasing regularity on the transfer radars of Europe’s top clubs, with a view to a bid in January.

After a summer of links with both Liverpool and Arsenal, Real Sociedad’s highly rated midfielder Martin Zubimendi is now being considered by City to fill the void left by his absent international teammate.

Despite reportedly pulling out of a move to Anfield just a few months ago, Zubimendi is yet to sign a new contract and as such retains a release clause of around £50.3 million (€60 million).

Spanish star Rodri has become the world’s most important defensive midfielder under Pep Guardiola

Martin Zubimendi has reportedly emerged as an option to replace his international teammate at Man City

Zubimendi has developed into a great player, operating in the sixth role at the base of midfield and setting the pace of the game, while also protecting the defense behind him.

While Man City are not short of options in any position, Guardiola still appears unsure of how to shape his midfield without the ever-reliable Rodri.

Mateo Kovacic – who scored twice this weekend – has lined up alongside Ilkay Gundogan, Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis so far this season, with the boss seemingly yet to find his favorite duo.

City may be the best team in the world, or at least in the top two, but signing Zubimendi wouldn’t be as simple as signing a cheque.

The player has already shown a reluctance to move at this point, as evidenced by the failed move to Liverpool, and negotiating a deal in mid-season comes with its own additional hurdles.

“It is true that they were not easy days, but I am very happy with the decision I made, which came from within,” the player had said after pulling out of a deal to join Liverpool.

“I think I made peace with it because I thought it was the best thing to do.”

Zubimendi clearly doesn’t sound like a player eager to leave the club, even though Man City’s draw may be second only to Real Madrid in terms of what they can offer a potential player.

Zubimendi has been popping up on the radars of Europe’s elite clubs with increasing regularity

He opted out of a move to Liverpool last summer and is said to be keen to stay at Real Sociedad

The midfielder was part of the Spanish team that defeated England to the European Championship title this summer

The 25-year-old would provide security for Guardiola’s side following the departure of Rodri, whose contract expires in 2027 and has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.

Zubimendi has already played 198 games for Sociedad and his contract also expires in 2027.

As a result of his rise to fame at his boyhood club, Zubimendi was called up to the Spanish team that won the European Championship this summer, beating England 2-1 in the final.

To date, the midfielder has won 12 caps for Luis De la Fuente’s side and could become a key player in the center of the park for La Roja over the next decade.