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

Pep Guardiola is searching for a dependable replacement for Rodri, who sustained a serious injury that will sideline him for the remainder of the season. This has caused frustration among Manchester City fans and management, given Rodri’s importance to the team.

The Manchester City manager has shortlisted several notable names to strengthen the midfield, with Martin Zubimendi and Joshua Kimmich among the options. However, in recent weeks, the Barcelona player has emerged as the top candidate.

According to a report from the Spanish newspaper *El Nacional*, since joining Barcelona in 2019, De Jong has become a vital part of the team. His ability to distribute play and his tactical intelligence make him one of the most efficient midfielders in the world.

De Jong’s compatibility with Manchester City’s possession-based style is what makes him particularly appealing to Guardiola. The Spanish coach has long admired players like De Jong, who combine technical skill with excellent vision, since his time at Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Barcelona is facing financial difficulties, and club president Joan Laporta may be open to selling De Jong in January if a suitable offer is made. The report also mentioned that De Jong’s high salary, one of the largest at Barcelona, could motivate the club to offload him to create space for future signings.

At Manchester City, the urgent need to replace Rodri may speed up negotiations, as this isn’t the first time De Jong has been linked with the English club, though the current circumstances make the transfer more realistic.

Although the winter transfer window is still Days away, it’s evident that Frenkie de Jong is on Guardiola’s radar. If negotiations advance and all parties agree, the Dutch midfielder could join Manchester City in January