Man City are ‘ready to go all out for Liverpool target in January’ with Pep Guardiola’s side ‘keen to find replacement for Rodri after injury bombshell’

Manchester City have been dealt a huge blow with Rodri picking up a serious knee injury, but according to reports in Spain the Premier League champions are set to go all out to sign a replacement in January. 

Rodri has become arguably the world’s leading defensive midfielder and as such it is unlikely that any one player could adequately replicate what the Spanish star does for Pep Guardiola‘s side. 

However, according to Relevo, the Citizens are thought to be monitoring a deep-lying midfield player that has cropped up with increasing regularity on the transfer radars of Europe’s top clubs, with a view to a January bid.

After a summer of links to both Liverpool and Arsenal, Real Sociedad’s highly regarded midfielder Martin Zubimendi is now being considered by City to fill the void left by his absent international team-mate. 

Despite reportedly backing out of a move to Anfield only a few months ago, Zubimendi is still yet to sign a new contract, and as such retains a release clause of around £50.3million (€60m). 

Spain star Rodri has become the world’s leading defensive midfielder under Pep Guardiola 

Martin Zubimendi has reportedly emerged as an option to replace his international team-mate at Man City 

Zubimendi has developed into a stellar player, operating in the No 6 role at the base of midfield controlling the tempo of the game while also protecting the defence behind him. 

While Man City are not exactly short of options in any position, Guardiola still appears to be unsure of how to form his midfield unit without the ever dependable Rodri. 

Mateo Kovacic – who scored twice at the weekend – has lined up alongside Ilkay Gundogan, Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis so far this season, with the boss seemingly yet to find his favoured duo. 

City may be the best team in the world, or at least in the top…