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Pep Guardiola won’t sanction Man City sale despite ‘replacement’ claim from pundit [Opinion]

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Ilkay Gundogan has an uncertain future at Manchester City due to his contract expiring this summer while Bernardo Silva has admitted being open to a new project, but Rodri could also be on his way out of the Etihad Stadium if reports are to be believed.

The 26-year-old has been linked with a move to Barcelona and Alan Hutton told Football Insider that a ‘replacement’ would surely be lined up if Pep Guardiola decided to cash in, but there’s no way Rodri would be sold as he’s far too important to City.

The Spanish international joined from Atletico Madrid in 2019 and has gone on to make 182 appearances in all competitions, scoring 14 goals with 14 assists, staking a claim as one of the Premier League’s best defensive-midfielders. Rodri has made 31 appearances across the board this season, scoring one goal with five assists, keeping Kalvin Phillips on the bench.

Guardiola isn’t likely to sell Rodri as he doesn’t appear trust Phillips enough to deputise in his stead, so an expensive replacement would no doubt need to be signed. City could lose Gundogan and Silva in the same transfer window, so Rodri can’t be granted a departure.

In other news, don’t believe the hyperbolic reaction to Man City’s bombshell news

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He joined from Newcastle in 2000 and left to join FC Sochaux in 2003

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Sports journalist who is an avid football fan, enjoys debunking transfer rumours, loves to write pieces about players out in the cold and takes a large amount of pride getting a predicted XI 100% correct.