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Rodri cited as door opens on blockbuster Man City swap deal - pundit
Paul Robinson has claimed Man City manager Pep Guardiola will not green light a move for Declan Rice because of his loyalty to Rodri.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Spurs and England number one said Rice, 24, would unlikely be willing to sit on the bench at the Etihad.
Rice is expected to depart West Ham in the summer transfer window.
Sources have told Football Insider (7 January) that the Hammers would be willing to swap Rice for Kalvin Phillips plus cash.
Phillips has struggled to make an impact at Man City since joining from Leeds United in the summer.
When asked by Football Insider if a swap deal would make sense for both clubs, Robinson said: “I do not see the need to from City’s perspective.
“I can tell you, Rodri is not going anywhere. It is difficult for anybody to get game time at City with him there.
“Phillips is clearly number two. He has been brought in to be that cover. Why would they pay more money to get better cover? I think they would use their money elsewhere.
“Pep very rarely changes that system. He normally only plays with one holding midfield player. I do not think Declan Rice would fit in.
“Rice would be sitting on the bench, waiting for an opportunity. I don’t think Declan Rice would want to go there and sit on the bench. For me, it is a non-starter.”
In other news, a finance guru has claimed Man City will be ‘relieved’ as controversial £530m bonanza ‘protected’.