Back in February 2024, then Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola labelled Rodri "the best midfield player in the world by far".

Guardiola, who signed Rodri from Atletico Madrid in 2019, said: "It’s because he’s able to do everything.

"So the tempo he has, especially his character when the situation is going wrong, he steps forward to arrive to the box, go backwards, the ability to play short and long. He’s always ready.

“What a signing. Manchester City signed a player that is difficult to understand what we have done in recent years without him. It would’ve been difficult.”

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Since joining Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2019, Rodri has been one of the most influential figures during an unprecedented period of success for the club.

Here are his stats from his seven seasons at the Etihad:

• 298 games
• 28 assists
• 32 goals
• Four Premier League titles
• Two FA Cups
• Three League Cups
• One Champions League
• One Community Shield
• One Super Cup
• One Club World Cup

£62.8m well spent?

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By joining Barcelona, Rodri would play for the third different La Liga club of his career.

The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner started his career at Rayo Majadahonda before joining Atletico Madrid in 2007 at the age of 11.

However, Rodri's first spell in the Spanish capital lasted only two years, as he was released by Atletico in 2013.

But he continued his pursuit of a professional career by signing for Villarreal.

The Spaniard eventually broke into the club's first team in 2015 and made more than 60 La Liga appearances before returning to Atletico Madrid in 2018.

Rodri's return to Atleti lasted just one season before Premier League champions Manchester City signed him in 2019 for a then club-record fee of £62.5m.

In 2023, Rodri helped Manchester City win the Treble, while in 2024 he became the first Premier League player in more than a decade to win the Ballon d'Or.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Rodri is a supremely gifted midfielder with many talents, but surely his most important role for Manchester City was his ability to protect the back four and help the side dominate possession.

He may not possess the mobility of a Claude Makelele or N'Golo Kante, but few holding midfielders in the game have had Rodri's presence and gravitas.

Maybe Fernando Hierro, when he stepped into midfield later in his career?

But Matt's shout of Fernandinho, Rodri's predecessor at City, is certainly a good one.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Are there any players currently at Manchester City who could replace Rodri?

After all, they spent more than £115m to sign England international Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest earlier this summer.

Although there is no doubting his talent - which he has displayed regularly for Forest and England over the past 12 months - Anderson still has some way to go before he amasses the experience and skill set of City's departing Spaniard.

In addition to Anderson, City also have Nico Gonzalez, Mateo Kovacic and others in their ranks. But it feels as though they will need further additions if they are to fill the void expected to be left by Rodri.

On Saturday, Lille head coach Davide Ancelotti confirmed the Ligue 1 club were in talks with Manchester City over a deal for Ayyoub Bouaddi.

The four players mentioned in our poll as possible replacements for Rodri have been in the frame for a while now.

But if not Enzo Fernandez, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Alex Scott or Alexis Mac Allister, then who else should Manchester City have on their radar?

Get in touch with your suggestions by using the Get Involved button.

Manchester City's interest in Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez has been no secret, despite not submitting a bid for the Argentine before the Blues' Friday deadline.

Chelsea told interested parties they had until 17:00 BST on Friday to make an offer for the 25-year-old - with them wanting £120m for his signature.

But they are not thought to have received any bids and Xabi Alonso's side now hope to keep their vice-captain.

However, it is understood City do not see the potential transfer as being over and still think Chelsea want to do a deal.

Manchester City boss Maresca is clearly a fan of Fernandez, having made him Chelsea captain when Reece James was injured, and he played him in 79 of his 92 games in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Fernandez is, by nature, a defensive midfielder but Maresca played him further forward many times last season when Cole Palmer was injured, leading to him scoring a career-best 15 goals.

That means there are several places Fernandez could fit into Maresca's City team - if a deal does happen.

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Elizabeth Conway
BBC Sport Spanish football reporter

Talk of Manchester City signing 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi has been rumbling all summer, and the club have reportedly held talks with the Moroccan, who would cost an estimated £85m.

Bouaddi is said to be keen on the move.

The teenager impressed at this summer's World Cup after a starring role in Lille's Champions League victory over Real Madrid in 2024 announced him on the big stage.

Bouaddi functions as a deep-lying conductor - much in the same vein as Rodri - and would complement summer signing Elliot Anderson, who is more of a box-to-box midfielder.

Taking into account the loss of Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders, it is not just Rodri that City are trying to replace and, with 30 Ligue 1 appearances last season, Bouaddi possesses a level of experience beyond his age.

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We will run the rule over the players Manchester City are looking at bringing in to fill the hole soon to be left by Rodri in their midfield.

Please get in touch to have your say on who City should try to bring in.

After Sunday's defeat to Arsenal, what do you think Enzo Maresca needs to bolster his midfield?

Also, remember you can send in questions for the BBC Sport reporters, just use the Get Involved button and tell us which reporter your question is for.

Elizabeth Conway
BBC Sport Spanish football reporter

Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign Spain captain Rodri from Manchester City for about £65m

The 30-year-old, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2024, is set to sign a four-year deal with the Spanish champions.

The transfer is expected to be completed in the coming days.

Rodri made 298 appearances across seven trophy-laden seasons at City after joining them from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a then club record £62.8m.

He missed much of the 2024-25 campaign after sustaining a serious knee injury, and parts of last season were disrupted by a hamstring issue.

However, he was back to his best at the World Cup in the summer, leading Spain to their second title and being named player of the tournament.

Rodri leaves City having won 12 major honours, including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three EFL Cups and the Champions League in 2022-23.

Last week City rejected Barca's opening offer of £38.5m for Rodri, who was set to enter the final year of his contract at Etihad Stadium.

It had looked like Real Madrid would be his next destination but La Liga rivals Barcelona stepped up their efforts to complete the signing in recent days.

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The new Premier League season is almost upon us and the transfer intrigue is cranking up a notch.

Champions Arsenal, who kick off the new campaign by hosting Frank Lampard's promoted side Coventry City on Friday, laid down a marker with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday.

If that was not bad enough for new City boss Enzo Maresca, the Italian now looks set to lose midfield lynchpin Rodri.

The Spain World Cup star looks to be on his way to Barcelona after the two clubs agreed a £65m deal.

Stick with us for more on that possible transfer as well as the latest news from across the top flight, including an update on Liverpool's pursuit of Paris St-Germain forward Bradley Barcola.

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