After spending six years at Atletico Madrid’s academy between 2007 and 2013, Rodrigo, commonly known as Rodri returned to the Spanish capital club from Villarreal last summer.
The 22-year-old signed a five-year deal with the La Liga outfit and has a release clause of €70m in his contract.
He’s made 37 starts across all competitions this season and his impressive form for Los Rojiblancos has caught the attention of Manchester City.
Monday’s edition of AS explains Atletico’s stance on the midfielder amid interest from the Premier League winners.
It is claimed that Pep Guardiola’s side ‘will pay’ his buyout clause in the summer and there are other (unnamed) clubs who are willing to meet Rodri’s asking price.
Diego Simeone’s side have spoken to the player and the idea is to hold talks on his future after the end of the season as Atletico’s focus is to finish this campaign on a bright note.
Rodri has expressed his desire to continue with his current employer, amid interest from Manchester City and other clubs, and the Argentine coach has also endorsed his continuity. 
Atletico’s leaders and sports management are aware that Rodri’s quality, age and release clause makes him attractive, especially for powerful clubs, which is why AS claims that no one can assure he will still be at the club next season.
Even though Rodri wants to stay, with Atletico clearly not ruling out his sale, City could have a chance to sign him in the summer.
At the weekend, AS reported the English club ‘want to take’ Rodri this summer, and covered claims from Cadena Ser.
The Spanish radio show had claimed City will ‘try to negotiate’ for the player and ‘intend to pay’ the clause.
The claims have now been quickly backed up, but it’s also again insisted Rodri is happy.
