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Reports suggest last season’s Premier League runners-up have earmarked Lille teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi as the long-term heir to the Spaniard at the Etihad Stadium.

With Rodri moving closer to a return to La Liga with Barcelona, Manchester City’s recruitment staff have acted quickly to make sure there is no lasting gap in the heart of their midfield.

According to reports from The Athletic and French outlet L'Equipe, City have already opened talks to sign Bouaddi.

At only 18, Bouaddi, a product of 'The Boy's A Bit Special', has already built a reputation as one of the most complete deep-lying playmakers in European football.

After breaking into Lille’s senior side at the age of 16, the Morocco international has earned praise for his ability to resist the press and for the range of his passing from the base of midfield.

His impressive displays in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League have now pushed Manchester City to the front of the race for his signature.

City’s recruitment set-up is understood to see Bouaddi as a gifted possible successor to Rodri. Replacing a Ballon d'Or and World Cup-winning player such as Rodri is far from straightforward, but City’s early move indicates they believe they can bring in a player of a similar level to the Etihad Stadium.

Rather than going for a short-term and potentially expensive stopgap, the club are opting to make a major investment in a long-term answer who can develop alongside the next version of this Manchester City side in the post-Guardiola era.

While Rodri’s expected move to Catalonia would bring a trophy-filled period in Manchester to a close, landing Bouaddi would leave the club strongly placed for the future. If Rodri’s £60 million transfer is completed as anticipated, it would pave the way for Bouaddi’s arrival, giving the Etihad supporters the chance to see Europe’s next elite midfield anchor join the club.