Manchester City interested in Renan Lodi

Manchester City are interested in signing Atlético Madrid left-back Renan Lodi according to the Telegraph and Diario AS.

The Brazilian’s release clause is set to €120 million, Relevo journalist Matteo Moretto reports, as the Premier League champions are seeking a new left-back and Pep Guardiola is fascinated with the player.

Lodi signed for Atlético in 2019 from Athletico Paranaense in his native Brazil. He has played 116 times for DIego Simeone’s side, with six goals and nine assists to his name. But the 24-year-old has never truly convinced at left-back, and a switch to left wing-back suited the player more last season.

Atlético signed Reinildo Mandava last winter to play left-back with Lodi pushed into a more attacking wing-back role upon his arrival. This unlocked the Brazilian’s potential, and he created three goals in two games — including one at Old Trafford against Manchester United in the Champions League.

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Guardiola has a history of turning full-backs into attacking wing-backs. João Cancelo and Kyle Walker are two examples currently playing at the Etihad.

City are in the market for a left-back. They were interested in Marc Cucurella earlier in the transfer window, but Chelsea FC swooped and signed the Spaniard from Brighton for €70 million.

Atlético are now expected to hold out for a similar fee for Lodi, who is not a guaranteed starter. Reinildo is the left-back and Yannick Carrasco plays as the left winger when Simeone opts for three at the back. It looks like Cholo will play that formation this season, having gone with it in the preseason. He repeated the same starting XI that beat Juventus last weekend in training this week.

City have also been linked with Raphael Guerreiro, Borna Sosa and Kieran Tierney if they can not strike a deal with Atlético and Lodi.