Man City pick Rodri’s replacement – and it’s terrible news for Chelsea

7 Aug 2026 10:09 BST | 4 min read

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

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Manchester City have moved quickly to identify their dream replacement for Rodri, who appears bound to sign for Barcelona.

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Although Enzo Maresca’s side have tried to extend the contract of the Spain international captain, a move back to his homeland appears inevitable, with the Blaugrana having already agreed personal terms with the 30-year-old.

City have yet to strike an agreement over a transfer fee for Rodri, yet the Spanish media believes a deal worth around €60 million will be completed, with €45m of that an upfront cost.

Current ETV

Rodri

DM, M (C)

Man City

Rodri

DM, M (C)

Man City

ETV Range

€53.3M - €65.1M

Man City target ‘dream’ signing Enzo Fernandez

Replacing a player of Rodri’s talents will be no easy task, but Maresca has identified Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez as a player he wishes to sign.

The Argentine has spent much of 2026 flirting with Real Madrid, making it clear that he is unsettled at Stamford Bridge. Los Blancos are not prepared to sign Enzo this summer, with Jose Mourinho of the opinion that his midfield options are adequate and that he does not need to chase a replacement for Rodri.

While this would seem to have been a positive update from Chelsea’s perspective, it has simply opened the door for City to chase the Argentina international, according to a report from Di Marzio.

Maresca is said to have specifically pinpointed the 25-year-old as a like-for-like replacement for Rodri, having forged a strong bond with the former Benfica man during his stint in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea do not wish to sell Enzo and will demand a high fee for the player, putting the viability of the transfer into question.

© IMAGO - Enzo Fernandez in World Cup action for Argentina

City facing Bouaddi impasse

City reportedly have other options lined up for their midfield once Rodri departs, with Lille wonderkid Ayyoub Bouaddi foremost among these.

Bouaddi starred with Morocco at the World Cup, but with the Ligue 1 club pegging his valuation against that of Elliot Anderson, who joined City in a €135m deal from Nottingham Forest, he will not come cheap.

City have agreed personal terms with Bouaddi, but a dispute over the transfer fee is holding the deal up, with Lille insistent they get a good price.

“I never discussed figures,” the Lille president told L’Equipe. “But very few clubs today can afford a player of Ayyoub’s quality, who is only 18.

“What environment would be best for him to continue developing? We’ve seen each other since he returned from the World Cup. I can’t say what we discussed. Anything is still possible, but in my opinion, he should stay with us for another season. I’m convinced there’s a strong chance he’ll stay with us. And he would be very happy to do so.”

Unfortunately for City, Chelsea are unlikely to be any easier to negotiate with Lille when it comes to the case of Enzo Fernandez.