Enzo Maresca expects Rodri back in Manchester next week amid transfer rumours
By Ian Parker, Press Association
Enzo Maresca has said Rodri is due back with Manchester City next week amid continuing speculation over the Spain midfielder’s future.
City this week rejected a €45 million offer from Barcelona for the Ballon d’Or winner, with the 30-year-old in the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium.
Rodri has also been the subject of interest from Barca’s LaLiga rivals Real Madrid, but it is understood City are not interested in selling unless the bidding reaches around €80 million.
Rodri, who was named player of the tournament as he helped Spain lift the World Cup, is recovering from back surgery which could see him miss the start of the season.
After City’s 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid in Seoul on Sunday, Maresca was asked if he received any update on Rodri’s future from City’s director of football Hugo Viana, and whether he expected to see him in Manchester when City return ahead of next weekend’s Community Shield against Arsenal.
“Yes, at the moment he will be in Manchester,” Maresca said. “There is no update… On August 14 he will be back.”
City came from behind to beat Atletico in Seoul, trailing at half-time to Jorge Dominguez’s 43rd-minute goal before Omar Marmoush scored a quickfire brace – the first thanks to an outstanding assist from Antoine Semenyo – and Rayan Ait-Nouri added a third late on.
