Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola now wants to personally hijack Real Madrid and sign a “phenomenal” midfielder, valued at £87 million.
Pep considers signing new midfielder amid Rodri concerns
After spending the majority of the 2024-25 season on the treatment table due to an ACL injury, Rodri was reinstated into the team by Pep, but the Spaniard suffered another setback in the 1-0 triumph at Brentford before the international break.
The central midfielder has been ruled out of Spain’s World Cup qualifiers, with Pep continuing to express hope that it will only be a matter of weeks, not months, before the 29-year-old returns.
The City boss also added: “You asked me why I don’t play him all the time for 90 minutes. Journalists always ask me why I replace him. That’s why we tried to be gentle and play. [him] for 60 to 65 minutes.”
Amid concerns over Rodri, the Blues have moved to bolster their options in the engine room, submitting bids for two promising English midfielders earlier this week, and a Premier League star has also become a target.
This is according to a report from Spain, which claims that Pep is now personally keen to hijack Real Madrid and sign Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton, with Man City expressing serious interest in securing his signature.
Manchester United have also moved to sign Wharton, thanks to the midfielder’s impressive performances for the Eagles, and sources suggest the south Londoners could hold out for a fee in the region of €100m (£87m).
However, with the Englishman under contract until 2029 and happy at Selhurst Park, Palace currently have no pressing need to cash in, with a move more likely to happen next summer than in January.
‘Phenomenal’ Wharton deserves move to top club
In many ways, it’s a real surprise that the 21-year-old has just one England cap to his name, given the impact the central midfielder has made since arriving at Palace, with HLTCO’s Dan Cook particularly impressed.
In his only appearance for England, against Bosnia and Herzegovina just over a year ago, the youngster became the only midfielder to attempt more than 30 passes on his debut for the Three Lions and complete every single one, in what was an assured performance.
Given Wharton’s passing ability, he could flourish in a Pep system, and Man City should undoubtedly take a step forward in 2026.
