Manchester City Target £75m Move for Barella as Rodri’s Replacement in January
Manchester City have set their sights on Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella as the primary candidate to replace Rodri, following the Spanish midfielder’s season-ending injury. Rodri, widely regarded as one of the best all-around central midfielders in world football, tore his ACL during City’s hard-fought match against Arsenal. The injury, confirmed to rule him out for the remainder of the season, has left a significant void in Pep Guardiola’s squad as they aim to defend their Premier League crown and chase European glory.
City manager Guardiola has long been an admirer of Barella, and the Italian international’s standout performance during Inter’s goalless Champions League fixture against City at the Etihad earlier this month further solidified his place on the English champions’ radar. The 27-year-old midfielder, who boasts 57 caps for Italy, demonstrated his ability to dictate play and handle high-pressure situations, earning widespread praise from Guardiola and his coaching team.
Speaking about Barella’s display after the Champions League clash, Guardiola reportedly conveyed his admiration to City’s football hierarchy, noting, “He is a player with immense quality, great intelligence on the ball, and the kind of composure needed to thrive at the highest level. Nicolo was exceptional that night, and he has all the attributes we value in our squad.”
While Barella recently signed a contract extension with Inter, a move that squashed Manchester United’s summer pursuit of the player, it’s understood that City are willing to test the Serie A club’s resolve with a January bid. According to sources close to the negotiations, the Nerazzurri would demand at least £75 million to part ways with their midfield maestro, despite the fresh contract. City, however, have the financial flexibility, having a reported £100 million budget for the winter transfer window, and they are prepared to meet Inter’s valuation if necessary.
Guardiola, commenting on City’s pursuit of a midfield replacement, hinted at potential moves in the coming months. “Rodri’s injury is, of course, a huge loss for us, but we must be proactive and assess all our options. The transfer market is complex, but we will evaluate players who fit our style and can help us through this tough period.”
Barella, considered one of Europe’s top midfielders, would undoubtedly provide the technical ability and tactical intelligence that City demand. His ability to contribute both offensively and defensively makes him a like-for-like replacement for Rodri, whose contributions to City’s midfield dominance cannot be understated. However, the price tag and Inter’s reluctance to sell will make negotiations challenging, even with City’s financial prowess.
The Serie A club, currently competing for the Scudetto, are under no pressure to sell one of their star players mid-season. Moreover, Barella’s new contract reflects Inter’s long-term vision for him to remain a central figure at the San Siro. Nonetheless, City’s track record in recent years shows they are not shy about pursuing top targets, especially in crucial situations like this one.
With the January window still months away, much will depend on how City’s remaining midfield options perform in Rodri’s absence, and how Barella continues to impress for Inter in Serie A and the Champions League. Guardiola’s side will undoubtedly keep a close watch, knowing that one key signing could make all the difference in their bid to remain competitive on all fronts.
In the meantime, City will look to players like Kalvin Phillips and Mateo Kovacic to step up and fill the void in the short term. But as Guardiola mentioned, the club is fully prepared to strengthen if needed. Barella’s name, now at the top of City’s January shopping list, could very well be the next big story of the winter transfer window.
Manchester City Target £75m Move for Barella as Rodri’s Replacement in January
