Manchester City are said to have received a boost in their bid to find a replacement for Fernandinho in the summer after reports in Spain on Monday suggested Rodrigo has told Atléico Madrid that he wants to leave the club.
Rodrigo, who was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona from Villarreal last summer, has impressed at the Wanda Metropolitano this season and is said to have caught City boss Pep Guardiola's eye over the course of the campaign.
City's director of football, Txiki Begiristain, was rumoured to have watched Rodrigo in Atlético's La Liga game against Girona last week to monitor the 22-year-old's progression.
Rodrigo, a six-times-capped Spain international, has made 40 appearances for Diego Simeone's side this season - scoring twice. Spanish outlet El Transitor claim that the midfielder has told the club he wants to leave in the summer.
City tried to provide cover for Fernandinho in front of the Blues' defensive line last season but were knocked back in their attempts to lure Fred and Jorginho to the Etihad, with the players opting for moves to Manchester United and Chelsea respectively.
Frenkie De Jong, of Ajax, was courted earlier this season but the Netherlands international will be playing his football for Barcelona next season.
Guardiola has trialed Ilkay Gundogan, Fabian Delph and even Ilkay Gundogan in Fernandinho's position this season, but none has met the standard set by the 33-year-old former Brazil international to date.
Goal.com reported last week that City are prepared to meet the release clause in Rodrigo's contract at Atlético, which is understood to stand at £60 million.
