Manchester City could offer Gabriel Jesus to Atletico Madrid in an attempt to sign midfielder Rodri from the Spanish club, according to reports.
Rodri joined Atletico on a five-year deal from Villarreal last summer and featured prominently as Diego Simeone’s side finished as La Liga runners-up behind Barcelona .
According to The Sun , Pep Guardiola has identified the 22-year-old as an ideal long-term replacement for Fernandinho but faces competition from both Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
However, the publication reports that the Premier League club would jump to the front of the queue if they allow forward Jesus to join the Spanish giants in exchange.
Atletico are looking for a replacement for star striker Antoine Griezmann, who will leave the club this summer, and the Brazilian is believed to be top of their summer wishlist after showing interest in him before he signed for the Manchester club.
Although Guardiola is known to be a fan of Jesus, who joined from Palmeiras in 2017, it is claimed that the 22-year-old has grown increasingly frustrated with his lack of starts for the Premier League champions.
Despite scoring 21 goals in all competitions this season, the Brazilian found himself behind Sergio Aguero in the club’s pecking order, with 21 of his 29 Premier League appearances coming from the bench.
However, he did start in Saturday’s 6-0 win over Watford in the FA Cup final, scoring twice as Guardiola’s side completed a domestic Treble.
Meanwhile, Guardiola has already denied reports that City could try to sign Griezmann from Atletico, with the Frenchman expected to complete a lucrative move to La Liga champions Barcelona.
“Don’t worry guys, we are not going to buy Antoine Griezmann,” he said at a press conference on Friday.
“We cannot afford him. The people at Barcelona don’t need to worry.”