Rodrygo arrival would force another Man City transfer

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Manchester City transfer news could see Savinho depart for Tottenham, leaving the Blues with a decision to make on their squad

Rodrygo has scored some big goals against Manchester City(Image: 2024 Marc Atkins)

Monday certainly started with a bang with the news that Tottenham had approached Manchester City over the signing of Savinho. The Brazilian only joined the Blues last year and has been talked up as a big part of their future, so even mention of a possible departure is a surprise.

As soon as the talks were revealed, it didn't take long before alternatives were suggested. Xavi Simons and Rodrygo were mooted as potential replacements should a deal for Savinho go through.

It would almost be worth signing Rodrygo just so City don't have to play against him again. The Brazilian has been the thorn in their Champions League side on more than one occasion in the epic tussles between the two clubs, showing that he can make the difference and generate goals on the biggest stages.

His stock has fallen slightly at the Bernabeu since Kylian Mbappe's arrival and the need for the French superstar to be integrated into the team alongside Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham. Carlo Ancelotti was unable to get the blend right last year and new coach Xabi Alonso left Rodrygo out of his starting XI for the last five of their six Club World Cup matches.

As exciting a signing as Rodrygo would be for City, it would leave them in the same position as they are now: needing to sell another first-team player for their Champions League squad.

UEFA allow just 17 non-homegrown players to be registered and even allowing for the likely departures of Stefan Ortega (permanently), Sverre Nypan and Claudio Echeverri (both loan) the Blues have 18. Selling Savinho would drop City down to the magic number, but bringing in Rodrygo - or indeed any other non-homegrown player - as a replacement puts City back to needing a cut.

Leaving a senior player out of the squad has generally been seen as a snub that Pep Guardiola would want to avoid, meaning an exit would be sorted for any star who was likely to be left out.

There would be no need for that if Savinho goes and isn't replaced, but while it isn't a reason not to sign Rodrygo it would present City with the same Champions League issue if they did.

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