Rodri has told Manchester City who they should sign in January to replace him after Pep Guardiola lost four games in a row for the first time in his career.
Plagued by injuries, the Premier League champions have suffered losses to Spurs, Bournemouth, Sporting CP and Brighton - who came from behind to beat them on Saturday at the Amex Stadium.
In their worst run in six years, City now find themselves five points behind league leaders Liverpool in the Premier League title race.
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Midfield has been a major issue for the Blues, who are struggling with the absence of Ballon d'Or winner Rodri after an ACL injury suffered against Arsenal put him out for the season.
Mateo Kovacic has performed well but typically plays further up, while Ilkay Gundogan has been sluggish since returning on a free transfer from Barcelona.
City rarely do business in the January transfer window but according to the Daily Star, they have £100 million available for reinforcements and eyeing up a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
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The 25-year-old helped Spain win the Euros in the summer, replacing Rodri at half-time of the final against England and running the game from deep.
And the report, citing a source close to the club, claims that Rodri has been advising Guardiola on Zubimendi and what he brings to the table.
Although not as physical, Zubimendi is a similar profile of player to Rodri and was heavily courted by Liverpool in the summer.
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Arne Slot made him his top transfer target and the player is said to have initially given his word. But Liverpool ultimately failed in their pursuit and Zubimendi elected to stay put at his boyhood club.
Only last month he stressed his desire to remain with the Basque outfit, saying: "The best solution is staying. I want to grow and develop here.”
But a proposal from City could come for Zubimendi, who has a £60 million release clause in his Sociedad contract.
Topics: Manchester City, Rodri, Liverpool, Pep Guardiola
Josh Lawless