Manchester City remains silent about Rodri’s transfer amid Barcelona and Real Madrid link | Football news

Manchester City’s Enzo Maresca wonders about the future of midfielder Rodri ahead of the Community Shield clash with Arsenal.

Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca has remained tight-lipped about Rodri’s future amid speculation linking the Spanish midfielder with a move to Barcelona, ​​saying “anything can happen” before the transfer window closes.

The uncertainty comes in the morning after a clear photo of Rodri traveling on a low-cost Ryanair flight from Madrid to Liverpool went viral on social media, with the former Ballon d’Or winner seen carrying a small bag bearing his name, national team flag and team number.

Despite speculation about a Madrid trip, La Liga title winners Real Madrid are understood to have tempered their interest based on the financial heft required for the move.

“First of all, we have already said that the transfer window is open, we can buy and sell players, anything can happen,” Maresca told reporters on Friday ahead of the Community Shield match against Premier League champions Arsenal in Cardiff.

“I just saw Rhodri in the building now, gave him a big hug, and he looks good, so we’ll see what happens.”

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When asked if he was aware of reports that Chelsea had set Friday as a deadline for submitting bids for the London club’s Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandes and whether that meant City would make any transfer business in the next 24 hours, Maresca smiled and said City would not make any new signings on Friday.

While talk of Rodri, the cornerstone of City’s success in recent seasons, and his possible departure from the club dominated the headlines, Maresca insisted his attention was focused on Sunday’s game rather than the transfer window.

“There are definitely things we have to do. At the moment I don’t know how many. It could be one player or two players,” he said. “It also depends on whether the players leave or not. It depends.

“Now, at this moment, 48 hours before the final, which is my first time at this club, my focus is not on the departure or arrival of players, it is only about how to prepare in the best way for the match and try to win the final.”

The Italian rejected any suggestion that the Community Shield, which sees the Premier League champions take on the FA Cup winners, should be seen as a glorified friendly, saying City are determined to start the season with silverware.

“For me personally, it’s a cup. And when there’s a cup, the final is there, you always try to win the match,” Maresca said. “So it’s not a friendly match at all. It’s a tournament that we will do our best to win, to win the first title.”

Maresca is seeking his first title as coach of Manchester City after assuming responsibility following the departure of Pep Guardiola at the end of last season.