Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola now wants to personally take over Real Madrid and sign a “phenomenal” midfielder worth £87m.
Pep begins signing new midfielder amid Rodri concerns
Rodri, who spent most of the 2024-25 season on the treatment bed with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, was eased back into the team by Pep, but the Spaniard suffered another setback in the 1-0 win at Brentford before the international break.
The central midfielder has been ruled out of Spain’s bid for a World Cup place, but Pep went on to express his hope that the 29-year-old will take weeks rather than months to return.
The city boss added: “You asked me why we don’t always play him for 90 minutes. Journalists always ask me why I substitute him. That’s why we gently tried to play (him) for 60-65 minutes.”
Amid concerns over Rodri, the Blues have set out to strengthen their options in the engine room by making offers for two promising English midfielders earlier this week, with Premier League stars also emerging as a target.
This comes as reports from Spain claim that Pep is currently privately interested in taking over Real Madrid and signing Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton, with Man City showing serious interest in securing his contract.
Manchester United are also keen to sign Wharton following the midfielder’s impressive performances with the Eagles, with sources saying the south Londoner could be kept for a transfer fee of around €100m (about £87m).
However, as the Englishman’s contract runs until 2029 and he is content at Selhurst Park, Palace have no immediate need for funding at the moment and a move is more likely to happen next summer than in January.
‘Phenomenal’ Wharton earns move to top club
Given the impact the central midfielder has had since joining Palace, it is in many ways a real surprise that the 21-year-old has only one England cap under his belt, and HLTCO’s Dan Cook is particularly impressed.
In his only appearance for England against Bosnia and Herzegovina just over a year ago, the youngster put in a solid performance on his debut for the Three Lions, attempting more than 30 passes and becoming the only midfielder to complete all of them.
Given Wharton’s passing ability, he could thrive in Pep’s system and Man City should definitely move him in 2026.