Manchester Metropolis ‘eye-up transfer for £30m-rated Serie A star as Rodri alternative’ – after Spaniard was dominated out for the season with a severe knee damage

Manchester Metropolis are reportedly eyeing-up a possible transfer for a Serie A star after Rodri was dominated out for the remainder of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament damage.

Rodri, 28, suffered the issue throughout Metropolis’s 2-2 draw towards Arsenal on Sunday and following a sequence of checks this week, Pep Guardiola revealed on Friday that he had surgical procedure in Madrid.

It’s a main blow for Metropolis, with Rodri integral to their success over current years, whereas the reigning Premier League champions even have a combined file with out the Spaniard.

Guardiola described the midfielder as ‘irreplaceable’, though he insisted his squad do have the capabilities to make up for his absence.

Metropolis should now determine whether or not to enter the market in January to fill Rodri’s void, and in accordance with The Guardian, they’re weighing up a transfer for Torino star Samuele Ricci.

Ricci, 23, has loved an excellent begin to the season as Torino sit high of Serie A after 5 video games.

The midfielder joined Torino in 2022 after coming by the ranks at Empoli and has to this point received 4 caps for Italy.

This included a surprising show throughout the Azzurri’s 3-1 victory over France in Paris earlier this month.

Ricci’s versatility is vastly engaging to Metropolis, and he’s considered as the most effective deep-lying playmakers round.

His high qualities embrace his vary of passing, whereas his tackling and physicality additionally means the midfielder ought to have the ability to adapt to the calls for of the Premier League. 

The report goes onto declare that Ricci is valued at round £30million, which means he could be a long-term funding for Metropolis.

Nevertheless, Torino could be reluctant to lose such a prized asset in January – significantly if they’re within the race for Champions League qualification – so any deal could also be tougher to strike, though the lure of becoming a member of a membership like Metropolis could also be troublesome for the participant to withstand. 

Talking on Friday morning, Guardiola defined that Metropolis had taken two opinions from consultants within the UK and Spain surrounding Rodri’s knee, earlier than he underwent the operation on Friday.  

‘His season is over,’ Guardiola stated. ‘Sadly he bought the worst [outcome]. However it’s what it’s. Sadly at this degree, it occurs. We’re there to assist him, and he’ll recuperate step-by-step and transfer ahead.

‘What he provides us, we don’t have an analogous participant however the different gamers altogether can substitute what Rodri has given since he arrived to us.

‘We’ve to do it as a group and now we have to seek out the way in which to play throughout a variety of months with out an necessary participant. All people is aware of it.’

Guardiola additionally insisted Metropolis should be cautious with Rodri – who joins the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb on the therapy desk – upon his return given the seriousness of the damage.

‘We all know that, we don’t need it however soccer occurs and it’s pity as a result of it a protracted damage – eight or 9 months,’ he added. 

‘After it isn’t “it’s important to be prepared in a single month”, as a result of when you may have an ACL damage, a 12 months after you may have a variety of muscular issues for certain. 

‘That’s the reason it’s longer. I believe Rodri will change into his finest not after simply eight or 9 months. We’ve magnificent gamers and we’ll discover the answer.’

Metropolis return to motion on Saturday lunchtime towards Newcastle United, earlier than they face Slovan Bratislava within the Champions League on Tuesday.