Manchester City have been crying out for midfield reinforcements all season in Rodri's absence and their summer rebuild may call for more central additions.

But one midfielder already on the books at City has taken the significant step of stating he does not want to return to the Etihad after enjoying life on loan for the last two seasons.

City signed Argentine midfielder Maximo Perrone in January 2023 for £8.2m from Velez Sarsfield and he went straight into Pep Guardiola's squad for the second half of the treble-winning campaign. He made two appearances off the bench for City, before heading out to Las Palmas on loan for the 2023/24 season after being a part of the Blues' treble celebrations after winning the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.

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A year in La Liga saw him return to City and play a part for Guardiola in last summer's pre-season tour of the USA, with Perrone scoring in defeat to Celtic and impressing his manager in a summer where most of his senior players were absent. A loan to Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas, was then arranged.

Perrone started well in Italy and has resumed his good form after a spell on the sidelines. And after impressing in the recent clash with Juventus and win over Fiorentina, Perrone has told Italian media that he wants to stay at Como beyond his season-long loan.

“There are agents, representatives, I don’t know anything. As far as I’m concerned, I want to stay here, grow and learn more with Como," he told Calcioline.

“I want to give a hand to my teammates and I’m happy to stay with Cesc. I have an excellent relationship with him. I hope my future is here with Como.”

City have just added Nico Gonzalez to their ranks in Perrone's position, with Rodri expected back next season and further possible midfield signings to be made with reported interest in Florian Wirtz.

Guardiola had praised Perrone when he arrived in 2023, saying: “He’s a guy who’s quicker here [in his head] than the legs. He moves really well in the pockets, he has a lot of vision there.

“Since the first or second training session after he arrived I had some clips and information, but honestly, I didn’t know him and the players didn’t know him. We thought ‘wow he moves well’, his individual quality is really there.

“I think he’ll grow being with us from the rhythm, from the physicality. Sometimes we’re looking for players to play in the position in the smaller spaces. It’s good, really, really good.”