Manchester City are reportedly considering a shock move into the January transfer market if Pep Guardiola wants to sign a replacement for injured star Rodri.
Guardiola will be without his midfield lynchpin until next season after the Spain international suffered a campaign-ending knee injury in September.
Despite initial confidence of City being able to cover for Rodri's absence from within their current squad, Guardiola remains open to a mid-season deal, if the right target can be found.
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Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan, Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis are the main candidates to man the City engine room as Guardiola ponders his options.
As per reports from Football Insider, plans are being assembled to give Guardiola funds for a January splurge, with cash saved from the summer market.
The majority of Julian Alvarez's £81.5m ($106m) transfer fee from Atletico Madrid remains unspent at the Etihad Stadium, giving Guardiola a financial reserve, if he needs it.
Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi is rumoured to be an option, after rejecting a summer move to Liverpool, with the Basque star famously replacing Rodri at half-time in Spain's UEFA Euro 2024 final win over England.
The 25-year-old still has a €60m ($65.5m) release clause included in his contract in San Sebastian which would fall within City's budget if Guardiola decides to make his move.
