Man City eye move for Adam Wharton to replace Rodri

Manchester City are eyeing a move for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton to replace Rodri.

Rodri recently completed his £51 million move to Barcelona, and Wharton is high on Man City’s list of potential replacements (the Sun).

The Spanish midfielder’s exit has left Man City with a sizeable gap to fill in the middle of the park.

Man City’s midfield void is exacerbated by Tijjani Reijnders’ imminent move to Saudi Pro League club Al Qadsiah in a £52m deal.

Bernardo Silva also left the club and joined Real Madrid on a free transfer after running down his contract with Man City.

That leaves Man City facing a major midfield rebuild this summer, with limited time to bring in the right pieces to plug the gap.

They already made one significant move by bringing in Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116m, but want more additions.

One of the biggest names on their radar is Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who was a key player under Maresca at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea had set a 5.00 pm deadline last Friday for any club hoping to meet their £120m asking price for the Argentine international midfielder. 

With that deadline now passed, the Blues expect him to remain at the Bridge for the new season.

However, a serious approach from the Cityzens could force Chelsea to reconsider their position, although they could drive up the price after the self-imposed deadline.

Fernandez is not the only midfielder Man City are considering, with Moroccan teenage star Ayyoub Bouaddi also on the club’s extensive shortlist.

The 18-year-old midfielder is valued at around £85m by Lille, who are looking to use his performances at the World Cup to pocket a premium fee for the highly rated talent.

However, Wharton seems to be at the top of Man City’s wishlist, although Palace’s demands could scupper their plans.

They could use the £100m package Tottenham Hotspur paid Newcastle United for Sandro Tonali and Man City’s huge investment in Anderson to set their price.