Man City may have to pay £75 million extra for top transfer target after contract clause expires

Man City may have to pay £75 million extra for their top transfer target following the expiry of a key clause in his contract.

Pep Guardiola is already looking at strengthening his side at the end of the season, even if they win a fourth Premier League title in a row.

City added Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes to their midfield last summer and both men started Wednesday's 6-2 win over Luton Town in the FA Cup.

Kovacic scored the sixth goal from long range and played the full 90 minutes, as did Nunes.

Despite that, the Treble winners currently don't have an adequate backup for Rodri at the base of their midfield.

Rodri is City's most important player and hasn't lost a game since February 2023.

It's believed City are looking at Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz, who was on their books between 2017 and 2019.

He never played a competitive game, spending two years on loan with Girona in La Liga while attempting to secure a work permit.

Guardiola believes the Brazil international has 'significantly improved' during his time at Villa Park and wants to bring him back.

Per Football Insider, City will have to compete with other clubs to re-sign Luiz as a buyback clause inserted in his initial Villa contract has expired.

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Arsenal have registered their interest in the 25-year-old, who has scored 10 goals in all competitions this campaign.

City are no strangers to letting players leave if they're unhappy with their lack of game time.

Cole Palmer is currently starring at Chelsea despite being deemed surplus to requirements, which Guardiola commented on in a recent interview with Sky Sports.

He said: "If he is here for a contract, it does not work.

"People have to come here with passion, with love, to want to play and be happy to be here. I apply that to myself.

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"If I am not happy, I will not be here. It does not matter about a contract.

"I think the players are happy here because how the club treats them is the best. But the players are here to play minutes and be happy.

"And normally when they do not play, they want to play. I understand completely. And they have to leave."

City return to action against bitter rivals Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.