Manchester City have not made an approach for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, according to AS.
Reports in the Brazilian media suggested that the Cityzens were keen on recruiting the 23-year-old as a potential replacement for Julian Alvarez.
The Argentinian international is expected to complete his £82m switch to Atletico Madrid at the beginning of next week, and City are likely to recruit a suitable successor before the transfer window shuts.
However, AS claim that there has been “no offer, not even a sounding out” for Rodrygo, and they believe the player would say no to the Premier League champions even if contact was made. By the same token, it has been suggested that City would have to pay his ludicrous €1bn (£860m) clause to get him out of the Bernabeu.
Rodrygo’s future at Real is in doubt
Despite the forward’s clear intentions, the reality is that he could be squeezed out by his club over the coming days and weeks.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti has an abundance of talent up front, especially after the arrival of Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.
In addition to the French legend, Ancelotti can call upon Vinicius Jnr, Endrick and Arda Guler, so Rodrygo is unlikely to be a regular starter. From the sound of things, though, the player is willing to fight for his place.
Who else could City target?
A couple of other names have been suggested as potential targets over the past week or so. The Cityzens have a longstanding interest in Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze.
With the England international having a £60m release clause in his contract, there is a case for bringing him in this summer to strengthen the forward line.
Wolves’s Pedro Neto is also a player of interest. The 24-year-old would cost a similar amount to Eze but there are serious concerns about his fitness record which could stop a move from going ahead.
