Manchester City owners ‘closest to signing’ Liverpool winger – La Liga plan identified for future development

City Football Group are the closest to securing the signing of Liverpool and Uruguay international Luciano Rodriguez, according to new reports.

Rodriguez has become the latest in a long line of potential South American talents to move to Manchester City and the City Football Group with the hope of remaining at the top of Europe’s top flight.

In recent seasons, City Group have acquired some of the most promising profiles in the South American game with a view to developing them in their portfolio of clubs, namely Yan Couto and Savio – now with the Brazilian national team.

With both of the aforementioned players experiencing huge success while on loan with Girona this season, and the latter set to move to Manchester City as a result, other names could now be tempted to follow suit way to success.

Now, according to journalist César Luis Merlo, City Football Group are “closest to signing” Liverpool Montevideo winger Luciano Rodríguez, who have offered a transfer fee of $14 million with the intention of then sending him to La Liga side Girona .

As for Rodriguez’s other potential suitors, the report explains that while Brazilian giants Palmeiras have made a similar offer in terms of numbers and are still pushing to sign the winger, the 20-year-old is more tempted by a move to Europe .

River Plate is described as the “furthest” of the three contenders mentioned above.

A subsequent report by César Luis Merlo went on to claim that Rodríguez is now “one step away” from Girona with a $15m offer for 70% outright from the La Liga club and an agreement on a five-year contract years.

Rodriguez has made 14 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool Montevideo this season, scoring four goals in the process and earning his first cap for Uruguay’s national team.

Rodríguez has represented Uruguay at various youth levels and last year was named in Uruguay’s squad for the 2023 South American Under-20 Championship.

Rodriguez would go on to be part of the squad that won the 2023 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, scoring the winning goal in the final against Italy in a landmark moment for the rapidly developing attacking talent.