Latest developments
- Manchester City looking to sign Rodri replacement
- Pep Guardiola's side eye Real Madrid's Federico Valverde
- Real Madrid not keen on selling the Uruguayan
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (2.5/5): Source reliable only at times
Manchester City are in serious need of a Rodri replacement after the Spaniard tore his ACL last month and will not return until the end of the season. Guardiola's side have been struggling massively without the Ballon d'Or winner and they are now actively looking to sign a holding midfielder in January.
Fichajes have reported that Manchester City are looking to sign Real Madrid's Valverde in the winter transfer window, however, the report has stated that neither the Uruguayan nor Los Blancos are interested in the move.
Fichajes' reports generally need to be taken with a massive pinch of salt before you are to believe their them, and the same goes for the Valverde and City links.
Value (1/5): Valverde will not be cheap
The 26-year-old Uruguayan has been valued at €130 million (£108m) by Transfermarkt, and with Real Madrid unwilling to sell, the price is likely to be way beyond that mark. Additionally, Valverde has a contract until 2029 at Santiago Bernabeu that has a reported release clause of €1 billion (£830m), meaning triggering the release clause is out of the question. As such, it makes next to no sense for Manchester City to try and make the move for the Real Madrid star.
Suitability (2/5): Valverde not a fit for the Rodri role
While Valverde is uber-talented and adept at playing many roles across midfield and attack, he is definitely not in any way or shape an adequate Rodri replacement. The Uruguayan has played as a defensive midfielder previously for Real Madrid, however, the role differed a lot compared to what he would have at the Etihad Stadium, and as such, would likely not be a very good fit for Manchester City.
Upgrade? (2.5/5): Valverde an upgrade on other positions
The Uruguayan has been one of the most consistent performers for Real Madrid in a load of positions, and the same would be the case at Manchester City. However, in the defensive midfield position, the same would not be the case as Valverde has next to no experience playing in a single-pivot system throughout his career. As such, Manchester City's current options of Mateo Kovacic and Mattheus Nunes are much better.
Logic (2/5): Real Madrid suit Valverde
For the midfielder, the move would not make a lot of sense as he has found his place in Carlo Ancelotti's plans and is one of the senior players in the side which is undergoing changes.While the idea of playing under Guardiola could be an enticing one, it simply does not make sense to leave his boyhood club despite being settled in.
Whisper+ final verdict – 10/25
While Manchester City continue to look for a Rodri understudy for the rest of the season, Valverde is a very unfit option for this role due to his cost and his inexperience playing as a single-pivot in a high-possession side. As such, City will find much better candidates in their hunt.
