Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has refused to comment on the future of Rodri, who has been linked with a move to Barcelona, saying ‘anything can happen’ before the transfer window closes. The midfielder has just returned to England after time off following Spain’s World Cup victory in North America last month. Maresca’s comments come ahead of the FA Community Shield against Arsenal on Sunday, where Rodri is expected to play a key role. When asked about Rodri’s future, Maresca told reporters ‘first of all, we already said the transfer window is open, we can buy and sell players, anything can happen.’ He also revealed that Rodri is fit to return to training after undergoing back surgery at the end of July, saying ‘I’ve just seen Rodri now in the building, I gave him a big hug, he looks good, so we’ll see what happens.’
Maresca is seeking his first silverware as manager of City after taking charge following the departure of Pep Guardiola at the end of last season. The Community Shield is a trophy that Maresca wants to win, saying ‘for me personally it’s a trophy. And when the trophy is there, the final is there, you always try to win the game.’ City have already signed England’s Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a significant fee, but remain in the market for further reinforcements. Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández and Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi are both targets, although Maresca revealed that City are unlikely to meet Chelsea’s deadline for Fernández, with the Blues demanding a high transfer fee for the Argentine.
The speculation surrounding Rodri’s future has been ongoing for some time, with sources suggesting that Barcelona are willing to pay a significant amount for the midfielder. City value Rodri at more than €70 million, and it remains to be seen whether Barcelona will meet this valuation. Maresca’s comments suggest that City are open to selling Rodri, but only if the right offer is made. The midfielder has been a key player for City in recent seasons, and his departure would be a significant blow to the team.
The Community Shield is a significant game for City, as it represents their first chance to win silverware under Maresca’s management. The game against Arsenal on Sunday is expected to be a closely contested match, with both teams looking to start the season on a positive note. Rodri is expected to play a key role in the game, and his performance will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike. Despite the speculation surrounding his future, Rodri remains a key player for City, and his commitment to the team will be crucial in the coming weeks.
In related news, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva has announced that he will leave the club at the end of the current season. Silva has been a key player for City in recent seasons, winning several trophies including the Champions League and six Premier League titles. His departure will be a significant blow to the team, and it remains to be seen how City will replace him. The news of Silva’s departure has been met with sadness from City fans, who will miss the midfielder’s skill and dedication on the pitch. As for Rodri, his future remains uncertain, and it remains to be seen whether he will follow Silva out of the door at the end of the season
