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Deal Close: Man City pay Rodri’s Atletico Madrid release clause

Manchester City have paid the €70 million release clause of Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodri, as a club record transfer edges closer.

The news was announced by the La Liga runners-up on Wednesday afternoon, who confirmed that the player’s contract has now been terminated.

“Representatives from the player and the English club went to the LaLiga headquarters to pay the release clause,” a statement on the club website reads.

“LaLiga has informed Atlético de Madrid that Rodrigo Hernández, through his lawyer, and representatives from Manchester City, paid the player’s release clause at the sports association’s headquarters on Wednesday, July 3.

“Manchester City has paid the buyout clause on behalf of the player.

“The player has therefore unilaterally terminated his contract with our club, which ran until June 30, 2023.”

It is thought that the 23-year-old has already agreed personal terms with the Premier League champions, with a deal expected to be announced in the coming days.

Rodri is seen as the long-term successor to Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho, with boss Pep Guardiola missing out on the signing of Jorginho last summer, after the Italian opted for a move to Chelsea instead.

The transfer of the Spain international will see him become the most expensive player in the clubs history, with the £62.8m fee eclipsing the £60m deal that saw Riyad Mahrez arrive at the Etihad last summer.

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