Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has reportedly decided that Hakan Calhanoglu will be his choice to fill in for Rodri in January.
City had a strong start to the Premier League season, winning seven of their first nine games under Guardiola. However, they have now lost their last two league matches, with the team struggling in Rodri’s absence from midfield.
Rodri, who won the Ballon d’Or at the end of October, suffered a serious knee injury in a match against Arsenal on September 22, which has ruled him out for the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL.
Amidst rumors that City might sign a replacement for Rodri in the winter transfer window, Spanish reports suggest that Guardiola has identified Inter Milan’s Hakan Calhanoglu as his preferred option. The Turkish international is noted for his vision, passing precision, and powerful long-range shots, qualities that Guardiola values and which mirror Rodri’s offensive contributions in crucial moments.
Man City are reportedly prepared to offer €45 million (£37 million) for the 30-year-old midfielder, and while Inter Milan may be reluctant to sell, they could be open to negotiations given his age and the potential windfall from such a transfer.
Despite the differences between Serie A and the Premier League, Guardiola is confident that Calhanoglu will adapt quickly to City’s playing style.
Additionally, it’s claimed that Guardiola has ended Manchester City’s pursuit of Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, having lost interest after the Dutch midfielder’s recent performances.
City’s poor form was evident in their 2-1 defeat to Brighton on Saturday, with former footballer Jamie Redknapp criticizing their second-half performance. Redknapp described it as “one of the worst halves of football” he’s seen from a Guardiola-managed side, noting that they failed to defend, win individual battles, or move the ball forward effectively. Despite a strong first-half performance, Redknapp pointed out that once Brighton took control, there was no player in City’s squad who could steady the ship and regain composure.
