Atlético: Gabriel Jesús could be offered as part of Rodri deal
According to reports, Pep Guardiola's side are at the front of the queue for the Spain international and could throw the Brazilian in.
Manchester City’s pursuit of Atlético Madrid and Spain midfielder Rodri may have been aided by the decisión of Antoine Griezmann to leave the Metropolitano this summer.
City are in the market for a long-term heir to Fernandinho and Pep Guardiola has anointed the 22-year-old Atleti midfielder, whose contract includes a minimum release clause of 70 million euros. Meeting that figure would represent a club record signing for City but Atlético’s need for a new striker could be used to the Premier League side’s advantage.
Rodri and Gabriel Jesús could complete swap deal
Guardiola has stated that City are not in the running for Griezmann, but he has also not ruled out letting Gabriel Jesús leave this summer. The Brazilian striker, also 22, has not really kicked on after his early promise at the Etihad and has found himself fall back down the pecking order behind Serio Agüero, having initially threatened to oust the Argentinean from the starting XI.
Bayern Munich have also expressed an interest in Jesús as they seek to rejuvenate their squad this summer but City will give Atlético first refusal as long as the Liga club reciprocate with Rodri. The Brazilian is valued at around 85 million euros by City, which could precipitate that rarest of modern football occurrences, the straight swap deal.