Pep Guardiola considering signing Barcelona star to replace Rodri, and negotiating with Laporta

Pep Guardiola is looking for a reliable replacement for Rodri, who has suffered a serious injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season. This setback has caused frustration for both Manchester City fans and management, considering Rodri’s crucial role in the team.

Guardiola has identified several key players to bolster the midfield, with Martin Zubimendi and Joshua Kimmich among the options. However, in recent weeks, Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong has emerged as the leading candidate.

According to *El Nacional*, De Jong has been an essential figure for Barcelona since joining in 2019. His ability to control the tempo and his tactical acumen have made him one of the most effective midfielders globally.

De Jong’s style of play, which aligns with Manchester City’s possession-focused approach, makes him particularly attractive to Guardiola. The City manager has long admired players like De Jong, who combine technical ability with sharp vision, dating back to his time at Barcelona.

With Barcelona facing financial difficulties, club president Joan Laporta may be willing to sell De Jong in January if an appropriate offer comes in. The report also suggests that De Jong’s high salary, one of the largest at Barcelona, could push the club to offload him to free up funds for future acquisitions.

Given Manchester City’s urgent need to replace Rodri, negotiations could be expedited, especially since De Jong has been linked to the club in the past. The current situation makes a potential transfer seem more plausible.

Although the winter transfer window is still a few months away, it’s clear that De Jong is on Guardiola’s radar. If talks progress and both clubs agree, the Dutch midfielder could make the move to Manchester City in January.