Manchester City is actively preparing for the post-Rodri era. As the Spanish midfielder moves ever closer to FC Barcelona, the Cityzens are exploring several avenues to strengthen their midfield. The English club is not only targeting experienced players and is also working on younger profiles, with Enzo Fernández and Ayyoub Bouaddi in particular in its considerations. But another idea emerged: go directly to the Masia.
According to MarcaManchester City is thus interested in Tommy Marqués, a young 19-year-old midfielder trained at FC Barcelona, and would like to include him in the Rodri deal. The Spaniard made his first appearances for the first team last season, playing two games in La Liga. A profile that is still very inexperienced at the highest level, but whose potential would have attracted the attention of Mancunian leaders.
A popular profile
This track comes in a context where City must anticipate a possible departure of Rodri, a true centerpiece of Pep Guardiola’s midfield in recent years. If the Cityzens are therefore studying XXL solutions to succeed him, like Enzo Fernández, they also wish to maintain a long-term development logic. The recruitment of Bouaddi, a young talent from LOSC, is also part of this desire to focus on players with high potential.
Tommy Marqués represents another approach, since this time it would be a question of directly benefiting from the Barcelona breeding ground and this would facilitate negotiations between the clubs. The young midfielder could take the opposite route to Rodri and leave Catalonia to join Manchester. A particularly symbolic scenario, even if this avenue is still only at the interest stage and City continues at the same time to study its other options to rebuild its midfield.
