Manchester City saw €35m bid for Spain international rejected

Pep Guardiola reportedly had his eye on Valencia forward Rodrigo during the summer but had a move blocked by new manager Marcelino, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The 26-year-old has enjoyed an excellent start to the season on all fronts, scoring four league goals to help fire a resurgent Valencia side to third in La Liga and subsequently earning a call-up to the Spain squad.

He made his first international start against Albania last Friday - his second appearance since a substitute showing against Luxembourg three years ago - and scored in a 3-0 win which guaranteed La Roja a place at next summer’s World Cup.

His form has thrust him into the limelight but reports claim City were willing to part with a fee in the region of €35m for the former Benfica man, even before his impressive showings this season.

Rodrigo spent the 2010/11 season on loan in England with Bolton before a move to Portugal and signed for Los Che back in 2014/15.

He’s been far from prolific since though, with this season’s tally of 4 goals from just 7 games already only one shy of his record in a Liga campaign set in the previous campaign.