Man City could ask one star to take pay cut in bid to make Rodri highest paid player

Manchester City could ask one player to take a pay cut to allow them to make Rodri the highest played star at the club.

Pep Guardiola will get his Premier League season with Manchester City underway on Sunday afternoon as they face Chelsea in a trip to Stamford Bridge.

The champions will be looking to win their seventh league title in eight years this season, extending the record they broke last season for the most consecutive Premier League titles.

Crucial to their title defence will be Rodri, and reports suggest that City could be prepared to ask one player to reduce their wages to allow them to make the midfielder the highest payed player in the squad and keep him at the club.

The report from The Sun, claims that City are looking to double the Spaniard's wages in a new contract, taking his weekly pay up to £375,000 a week.

And in order to do so, they will ask Kevin De Bruyne to sign a new long-term contract with a lower basic pay with additional bonuses.

Rodri's current deal expires in the summer of 2027 but Guardiola is keen to start conversations about extending his stay as soon as possible due to his importance to the club.

And, after Rodri admitted that his Euros-winning Spanish teammates that play for Real Madrid had tried to convince him to join the La Liga champions, it is understandable why City may want to secure his future.

The 28-year-old claimed the player of the tournament for the 2024 European Championships after playing a pivotal role in Spain's unbeaten run in the tournament.

Rodri won the player of the tournament award after winning the Euros with Spain this summer. (Image: Getty)

Having also won the 2023/24 Premier League title last season, Rodri is currently the second favourite the win the 2024 Ballon d'Or, behind Brazil's Vinicius Junior.

While a pay cut for De Bruyne, who has been one of the most important players for City under Guardiola, may seem ridiculous, it could make sense given the Belgians uncertain future.

The 33-year-old has less than ten months left on his current deal and, whilst he said he would not make the move this summer, De Bruyne has admitted that he would consider moving to the Saudi Pro League in the future.