Manchester City are interested in signing Atletico Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios, according to Caught Offside.

The 21-year-old has impressed whilst playing for Diego Simeone’s side in La Liga this season and he has attracted the attention of several teams.

City could be joined in the race for Barrios’s signature by Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Premier League rivals Chelsea.

The Blues are particularly keen on the Spaniard with Caught Offside reporting that he has been identified as one of their “top targets in midfield” for the January transfer window.

Atletico are reluctant to sell Barrios

The midfielder is a product of the Madrid side’s youth system, having joined them from rivals Real in the summer of 2017.

Barrios played for Atletico’s Under 19s and B team prior to making his senior debut in October 2022, coming on as a substitute during a 3-2 defeat to Cadiz. He has gone on to make 69 appearances in all competitions for the first team.

While Atletico would prefer to keep hold of the player, it has been suggested that a bid of around €60m (£50m) could be enough to prise him away from the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

City are seeking to replace Rodri

After picking up a serious knee injury against Arsenal back in September, a backup option for Rodri is being sought by the club’s recruitment team.

Considering that the Cityzens actually signed the Ballon d’Or from Atletico back in 2019, it would be somewhat fitting if they returned to the same club to buy his potential replacement.

It remains to be seen, though, whether the club will make a bid in the New Year or whether they can fend off competition from the likes of Chelsea and others in order to secure Barrios’s services.

Find out who is in Manchester City’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here