Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca could soon face one of the biggest decisions of his short tenure, with Rodri's future at the Etihad Stadium increasingly in doubt. Just six weeks into his role, Maresca may need to identify a long-term successor for a player regarded as one of the finest defensive midfielders in the world.
Rodri, 30, is entering the final year of his contract, and City have already turned down a £38.5m offer from Barcelona, with Real Madrid also said to be interested in the Spaniard. His importance to the club is well documented: he was central to City's Treble triumph in 2023 and later captained Spain to World Cup glory this summer, following a difficult spell battling back from a serious knee injury.
With Rodri's departure looking increasingly plausible, several names have emerged as potential replacements.
One of the most talked-about targets is Lille's 18-year-old Moroccan prodigy Ayyoub Bouaddi, valued at around £85m. Bouaddi, who impressed during this summer's World Cup and played a key role in Lille's Champions League win over Real Madrid last year, is seen as a similar type of deep-lying playmaker to Rodri. Despite his age, he already boasts significant experience, having made 30 Ligue 1 appearances last season, and would offer balance alongside new signing Elliot Anderson, a more box-to-box presence.
Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez is reportedly Maresca's preferred choice, given their previous working relationship at Stamford Bridge. However, Chelsea are said to value the Argentine at £120m, a substantial fee considering City have already invested £116m in Anderson this summer. Maresca previously trusted Fernandez with the captaincy at Chelsea in Reece James' absence, underlining his belief in the midfielder's leadership qualities. Fernandez recently returned to Chelsea training after reaching the World Cup final with Argentina, where he was sent off in the defeat to Spain. Chelsea have reportedly set a Friday 17:00 BST deadline for offers, intending to resolve the uncertainty over his future and fully reintegrate him into their squad. Last season, Fernandez contributed 15 goals and seven assists in 54 appearances, and statistically leads this group of candidates in passing metrics, including successful passes and passes into the box.
Bournemouth's Alex Scott has also attracted City's attention. The 22-year-old England international has turned down contract extensions at the Cherries, though his current deal runs until 2028. Bournemouth have already rebuffed a £64m offer from Chelsea and rejected interest from Arsenal, making clear they intend to keep him. Scott's dynamic style and ability to carry the ball forward align well with Maresca's possession-based approach.
Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister is another surprising name linked with a move to City. The Argentine, who has two years left on his contract at Anfield, endured a difficult 2025-26 campaign but remains a proven Premier League performer capable of operating in multiple midfield roles.
Beyond the playing style, Rodri's potential exit also raises questions about leadership at City, especially with captain Bernardo Silva, John Stones, and Nathan Ake also departing. Maresca reportedly favors a homegrown player for the leadership group, which currently includes Rodri, Ruben Dias, and Erling Haaland. Despite Haaland's vocal personality, he is not seen as a natural fit for the captaincy under Maresca's demands, leaving Dias as the likely front-runner.
Maresca offered insight into his approach to captaincy, saying, "Erling was one of the first to send a message when I joined the club. At Leicester and Chelsea I had a rule that when we scored the captain had to come to the bench, not to celebrate, but for instructions. But if he scores, then he can celebrate. If Erling is the captain, we have a problem... can you imagine?"
Phil Foden has led the side during pre-season, while goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is known for his vocal presence, and defender Marc Guehi previously captained Crystal Palace.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.