‘Massive downgrade’, ‘Probably just a CFG signing’ – Man City fans react as club negotiating with Atletico Madrid over €30 million winger

Manchester City fans have been reacting to a post on Twitter which relays a report of the club’s interest in Atletico Madrid winger Rodrigo Riquelme.

The 23-year-old came through the youth system at Atletico, progressing through the various age groups before making his first-team debut in 2019.

Riquelme has only made two senior appearances for the Red and Whites, though, with the majority of his professional career to date spent out on loan.

The Spain Under-21s international represented Bournemouth on loan in 2020-21 in the Championship, before spending the 2021-22 campaign with Mirandes, scoring eight goals and registering 12 assists in 39 appearances during a successful spell.

Riquelme spent last season with Girona, meanwhile, scoring five goals and providing four assists in 35 appearances for the La Liga side.

There is currently a host of speculation surrounding the midfielder’s future, with a number of clubs believed to be keeping an eye on Atletico’s plans for him.

According to journalist Ángel García, Manchester City want to sign Atletico Madrid winger Rodrigo Riquelme, offering €15 million as part of the opening run of negotiations involving the two parties.

However, it is claimed that the La Liga club have referred to the player’s €30 million release clause in their response, with further negotiations involving Manchester City expected over the coming weeks ahead.

Additional reporting from Matteo Moretto and Hugo Cerezo has also stated that Manchester City are ‘determined’ to secure the signature of the Spanish youth international, whilst going on to offer more details into the Premier League champions’ opening offer.

It is claimed that City’s first proposal was made up of a €15 million fixed fee, with a further €6 million in add-ons. Whilst the first offer was rejected, it is reported that negotiations remain open and, although not imminently, an agreement between the two clubs is feasible.

The report was shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.

@huntethanz721: “Our first winger target is average.”

@Billal_Ait: “Massive downgrade.”

@ZylTheNiceGuy: “Probably just a CFG signing and will be loaned back to Girona.”

@StevenMcinerney: “Never heard of him. Watched one comp and he reminds me of Pedro..”

@ClaireMulcahy17: “He is no better than Mcatee or Oscar Bobb, played LW for Girona most of the time off the bench. He is 23 and sitting on the bench at the 21 euros with gómez playing ahead of him on the wing.”

@Komps4: “Never seen him play… Just YouTubed him. Looks a player to be fair, but then again so did Samaras on YouTube. However, he has lovely ball control, great first touch, skilful, seems good in tight areas with the ball, looks like he has a good football brain.”

@mrahsannaeem: “Was on loan at Girona. Imagine he’s heading back there..”

@HaribossCity: “He’s 23 already. City gonna buy him and loan him to Girona? If we pay €30 million for him, how likely is it that he’ll increase his value to anything worth talking about while there? Just thinking out loud and trying to make sense of this transfer.”