Rumoured City target Jay Rodriguez is likely to cost the club upwards of £20 million if a deal is to be done between The Blues and Southampton according to the Manchester Evening News.
The Saints aren’t looking to sell the striker despite a large amount of interest in the England international, and rebuffed offers from Spurs last summer; all of which drives up the price if City do indeed wish to bring Rodriguez to Eastlands in the coming transfer window.
The 25-year-old hasn’t managed to make an appearance for his club side this season, due to the fact he’s still recovering from the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in a game for Southampton against City last season. In spite of that, Southampton reportedly see him as part of their plans going forward and thus have an eagerness to keep hold of the former Burnley star.
In the past, the links to Jay Rodriguez haven’t been well-received by some sections of the City support, and after the season that we’ve had, it’s clear to see why. Improvement is needed, and many fans don’t see Rodriguez as good enough to do the job that would be required of him. That being said, bringing him in would have benefits. Firstly, he’s only 25 (26 in July) so he alleviates some of the worry about the squad’s average age, and secondly he is homegrown. With the plans to further reduce the quota of non-homegrown players it is vital for City to start bringing in more home talents, and players like Jay Rodriguez and all the other young English talents we have been linked with fit the bill, even if some feel they may not be good enough to play for us. However, with the reported price of Jay Rodriguez at £20 million, and the awareness that having Bony and Aguero in the squad means he might not play, some would be right to question whether that money wouldn’t be better spent elsewhere.
