Pep Guardiola has reportedly earmarked Inter Milan’s Hakan Calhanoglu as the ideal replacement for injured star Rodri, with Manchester City set to pursue the Turkish midfielder in the January transfer window.
After a strong start to the Premier League season, winning seven of their first nine matches, Manchester City have hit a rough patch, losing their last two league games. The absence of Rodri, who has been a crucial figure in City’s midfield, has been felt keenly during this slump. The Spaniard suffered a serious knee injury against Arsenal on September 22, tearing his ACL and ruling him out for the rest of the season.
In light of Rodri’s injury, Manchester City are reportedly eyeing a January signing to bolster their midfield, with reports in Spain suggesting that Guardiola has singled out Calhanoglu as his preferred option. The 30-year-old Inter Milan player is renowned for his exceptional vision, precise passing, and powerful long-range shots—qualities that Guardiola believes could mirror Rodri’s influence on City’s offensive play.
Inter Milan, despite their reluctance to sell, could be open to negotiations given Calhanoglu’s age and the opportunity to secure a substantial fee. Reports indicate that City are willing to offer €45 million (approximately £37 million) for the midfielder’s services. Guardiola is reportedly confident that Calhanoglu can quickly adapt to City’s fast-paced, possession-based style, despite the differences between Serie A and the Premier League.
Additionally, it is claimed that City have cooled their interest in Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong. After monitoring the Dutch midfielder’s recent performances, Guardiola and his team have reportedly withdrawn from negotiations. De Jong had been a long-term target for City, but recent displays have led to a shift in focus.
City’s struggles were evident in their recent 2-1 defeat to Brighton, with pundit Jamie Redknapp criticizing their second-half performance as one of the worst he’s seen from a Guardiola side. Despite a strong first half, where City should have been three goals up, they faded after the break, with Redknapp highlighting the team’s lack of defensive solidity, individual battles lost, and inability to move the ball forward effectively.
With these issues mounting, Guardiola is expected to be active in the January transfer window, with the club’s midfield the clear area in need of reinforcements
