Manchester City are assessing their options over a January transfer move sign a new midfielder following Rodri's season-ending injury.
The Spain international has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign, following knee surgery, and Pep Guardiola's engine room is now without its leader.
Veteran stars Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic will cover the gap left by Rodri, alongside Rico Lewis and Bernardo Silva, but Guardiola could look to bolster in January.
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Guardiola is naturally cautious about bringing in a new face during the mid-season market but a couple of options have reportedly emerged for the former Barcelona boss.
According to reports from Football Insider, City are considering a move to activate Martin Zubimendi's €60m ($65.5m) release clause with Liverpool not interested in a revived bid for the Basque star.
That could be a more straightforward call than a possible swoop for Inter Milan playmaker Nicolo Barella who impressed in the Serie A side's 0-0 UEFA Champions League draw with City earlier this month.
The same outlet claims City have made a tentative approach for the 27-year-old but they have been quoted a £70 million ($93m) asking price by the Italian champions.
Barella is also under contract at the San Siro until 2029, after signing a summer extension, with Zubimendi tied to La Real until 2027.
A more realistic Serie A target could be Torino's Samuele Ricci, the 23-year-old who excelled as a deep-lying playmaker during Italy's recent 3-1 win over France in the UEFA Nations League.
