Manchester City look set for a busy summer transfer window, with a major midfield rebuild on the horizon following the likely departures of Rodri and Bernardo Silva.
According to TEAMtalk, Bernardo Silva is expected to leave City as a free agent this summer. The Portuguese attacking midfielder is unlikely to be the only departure from the club's midfield.
The British outlet reports that Real Madrid are preparing to complete the signing of Rodri next summer. Contract extension negotiations between the Spanish giants and the midfielder have been suspended, and Rodri himself has not closed the door on a Bernabeu move in interview.
Manchester City in pole position for Elliot Anderson
With two high-profile midfield departures looking increasingly likely, City will need to sign two players to strengthen their engine room. For several months, the club have planned to accelerate their pursuit of Elliot Anderson in a deal estimated at around £85m, and are currently said to be the frontrunners.
The second midfield target for the second-placed Premier League side is Sandro Tonali. The Italian is at the centre of numerous transfer rumours, with Manchester United also said to be preparing a move for the world-class midfielder. A departure from Newcastle is drawing closer — if the Magpies, currently 12th, fail to qualify for next season's Champions League, Tonali will have a release clause activated.
City players offered to Newcastle for Tonali?
The Italian's representatives are already working to find their client the best possible next move. While a return to Italy had initially been mooted, Tonali is said to be open to a new challenge in the Premier League, something that now looks the most likely outcome, with Newcastle understood to be demanding £100m for their midfielder.
City are firmly in the race to sign Tonali and are prepared to offer Newcastle a selection of players to bring the fee down. TEAMtalk reports that four City players could interest the 12th-placed club: goalkeeper James Trafford, full-backs Rico Lewis and Issa Kabore, and centre-back Juma Bah.
