City splash record £62.8m for Rodri

Manchester city broke their transfer record for the third time in 18 months yesterday when they landed rodri from atletico Madrid for £62.8million.

the central midfielder, seen as the heir to sergio Busquets in spain, was Pep Guardiola’s top target this summer.

city paid the 23- year- old’s release clause yesterday, with chief operating officer Omar Berrada travelling to La Liga’s headquarters in Madrid to complete the formalities.

aymeric Laporte became city’s most expensive capture when he joined from athletic Bilbao in January last year for £57m, before riyad Mahrez’s £60m move from Leicester 12 months ago.

atletico were quick to spend the money, signing Portugal forward Joao Felix for £114m from Benfica later in the day — the fifth most expensive transfer in history. city’s signing of rodri (below) is significant because it gives Guardiola a midfield alternative to 34-year- old Fernandinho.

Guardiola wants to rest Fernandinho more often and has earmarked the Brazil international as a potential option at centre half. city have also tied up the return of their former left back angelino. the spain Under 21 defender was sold to PsV eindhoven last summer, playing in every eredivisie game and earning champions League experience. a number of european clubs, including arsenal, were on angelino’s trail but city have activated a £5.3m buy-back clause. attention will now turn to a central defender, although city insist they will not stretch to the £90m Leicester appear to want for harry Maguire. Manchester United saw a £70m bid rejected for the england defender earlier in the week.