Rodri's replacement?! Man City 'closest' to signing Atalanta star Ederson as they seek long-term cover for injured Spaniard, who will miss rest of season

According to Mundo Deportivo, City are interested in the 25-year-old, who could cost €60 million (£50m) to sign. The report adds they are 'closest to recruiting' the defensive midfielder, alongside Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.

Rodri is likely to be out for the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, although the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner hopes to be back sooner. City have not looked the same without the Spaniard's considerable presence in midfield and finding cover in that area of the field may be key in their bid to win a record-extending fifth-straight Premier League title. Whether they are willing to fork out such a big fee for Ederson remains to be seen.

Ederson began his career at Deportivo Brasil in Brazil, before enjoying spells at Cruzeiro and Corinthians in his home country. He signed for Salernitana in January 2022 before switching to Atalanta later that year. Since then, he has scored nine goals in 107 appearances for the Serie A team.

While City continue to ponder what to do in Rodri's absence, Pep Guardiola's team host Tottenham in the Premier League this weekend.