Manchester City rule out the chance to sign Atletico Madrid fullback – Fabrizio Romano | OneFootball

Game time is of utmost importance for any professional footballer, more so this year. The club-level performance of players in the upcoming season will have a direct impact on their role in Qatar.

Needless to say, players will not settle for a bench role. That is what makes Renan Lodi’s situation at Atletico Madrid concerning as the Brazilian is no longer an undisputed starter for the team.

Manchester City were said to be interested in signing the left-back, but Fabrizio Romano has dismissed the possibility. According to the ever-reliable journalist, Lodi was a target for City in July, but talks are not progressing. As it stands, the deal is off.

Pep Guardiola fancied the 24-year-old as the ideal backup to Joao Cancelo after the departure of Oleksandr Zinchenko. However, the economics of the deal could be the reason it did not go through.

Los Rojiblancos valued the player on a level similar to Marc Cucurella, who recently moved to Chelsea. The London-based club shelled out close to €70 million for the Spaniard, and Atletico would not settle for less.

Lodi’s contract with the club runs until 2025, putting pressure on the interested party to cough up more money. Moreover, his release clause is set at a whopping €120 million.

As it stands, the Brazilian will continue at Wanda Metropolitano for the upcoming season. He will likely serve as a deputy to Reinildo Mandava at left-back but can also provide an interesting option in the wide midfield.