One of the key players in Manchester City’s success in recent seasons has been Brazilian defensive midfielder Fernandinho. The former Shakhtar Donetsk star was underrated prior to the arrival of Pep Guardiola at the club.

However, for Guardiola, he has become an indispensable star, who glues the team together. When the veteran star was missing from the City team last season through injury, the Citizens struggled for results, including a rough patch around Christmas time.

Close to agreeing a long-term replacement

Manchester City have failed to find a solution to the absence of the Brazilian international in the last few seasons. There are currently no players in the City squad that come close to the midfielder’s intelligence and defensive positioning.

However, it seems that City are in negotiations with Atletico Madrid for the signing of central midfielder Rodri, according to the BBC. The Spaniard has a reported release clause of around 60 million euros. The deal would represent a club-record fee for the Citizens.

Rodri has already stated that he wants to leave Atletico Madrid, which will make any deal slightly easier for any buying clubs.

The 22-year-old enjoyed an impressive campaign for Atletico. Reportedly Guardiola had been keeping an eye on the midfielder since his days at Villarreal, who sold the star to Los Rojiblancos for £21.5million last summer.

Rodri seems like the ideal player to be an alternative for Fernandinho and a long-term replacement for the Brazilian. The youngster has the sort of football intelligence and passing ability needed to play at the top level of the game. The midfielder has been compared to Barcelona and Spain icon Sergio Busquets in the past, which is a big compliment indeed.

The Spaniard will only get better with more experience and will fill a much-needed void in the Citizens squad. City have very few positions in need of improving, but the defensive midfield role is one of those weak positions.

The reigning English champions are not the only club interested in snapping up the midfielder this summer. German behemoths Bayern Munich are also hoping to sign the Spanish international. It will be a difficult choice for the Spaniard if both teams make a bid.

Rodri will improve City’s squad

Manchester City are no doubt one of the best club teams in Europe. The signing of Rodri will only improve the Citizens squad, who are one of the favourites to win the Premier League and the Champions League next season.

Pep Guardiola will know exactly where he needs to do to strengthen this summer to hold off the challenge of Liverpool in the Premier League. City are unlikely to make a glut of signings.  It will be a case of quality over quantity this summer.

Manchester City’s squad is full of quality and it is scary to think that they will add even more quality this summer. If the Citizens manage to strengthen in the supposed weaker positions, then they will be difficult to stop in every competition.

Is Rodri a perfect long-term replacement for Fernandinho?