Man City make expensive Rodri decision ahead of Reijnders and Cherki transfers

Manchester City are prepared to offer Ballon d'Or winner Rodri a new contract. The Spanish midfielder has been in talks with the club about a fresh deal for nearly a year, but was sidelined until the final week of the season due to a cruciate ligament rupture in September.

City's medical team have been amazed by Rodri's speedy recovery and he is now poised to play a significant role in the Club World Cup after making his comeback as a substitute in the penultimate match of the season.

It is anticipated that the 28-year-old will sign a new contract reflecting his importance to the club and his status as the world's top player.

Rodri has two years remaining on his current £200,000-a-week contract. The new deal will keep him in Manchester until 2029 and propel him past the £300,000-a-week mark, making him City's second-highest earner behind Erling Haaland.

Real Madrid have long admired the player who began his career with their rivals Atletico.

Rodri netted the decisive goal in City's 2023 Champions League triumph and has long been viewed as the ultimate defensive midfielder.

City's season unravelled when he was injured against Arsenal, before they eventually secured third place on the final day of the season.

City are set to finalise the £60million signing of AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders this week and are also aiming to seal a £35million deal for Lyon playmaker Rayan Cherki before heading to the United States.

Reijnders won't be the only Dutchman to arrive at the Etihad before the Club World Cup, with Jurgen Klopp's former Liverpool No 2 Pep Lijnders agreeing to take up the same role alongside Guardiola.

There may also be a role on Guardiola's backroom staff for former West Ham midfielder Alessandro Diamanti, who is currently a youth-team coach with sister club Melbourne City.