Man City Eyeing Porto Midfielder in January Transfer Window to Replace Rodri; Buyout Clause Set at €70 Million

According to exclusive reports from the European media outlet Football Transfers, Manchester City are closely monitoring Porto’s defensive midfielder Alan Varela. They have recently dispatched scouts to assess him and are considering bringing him in during the January transfer window as a replacement for the injured Rodri.

Manchester City hope to sign a player in January to replace Rodri, who suffered a cruciate ligament and meniscus injury during City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal, likely ruling him out for the rest of the season.

Sources reveal that Manchester City have drawn up a list of potential replacements, with Varela featuring prominently. Initially, City were looking for a player with Premier League experience who could make an immediate impact, but due to limited options, they had to explore alternatives. After all, City aim to secure a fifth consecutive Premier League title under Guardiola, and the 28-year-old Rodri is a key figure in their system, leaving a significant void in midfield following his injury.

Varela is renowned for his excellent defensive positioning and his ability to disrupt opposition attacks and win back possession. He also boasts impressive passing accuracy and long-range shooting capabilities, suggesting he has the potential to develop into an all-round midfielder. Manchester City view him not just as a temporary replacement but also as a possible partner for Rodri once he returns from injury.

Varela, a 23-year-old Argentine player, has a buyout clause of €70 million in his contract. Media reports suggest that, financially, signing Varela would not pose a major challenge for Manchester City, especially after they sold Alvarez to Atletico Madrid for €70 million in the summer transfer window.

In his latest press conference, when asked about the rumors of bringing in a midfielder during the January window, Guardiola stated, “I’ve spoken with Begiristain, and we’ll see what happens.”